CAPTAIN Lloyd Kelly is one of many players looking forward to a reunion with former teammate Nathan Ake this weekend.

Popular Dutchman Ake made 121 appearances for Cherries across two spells, before exiting to join Manchester City for £41million in the summer of 2020.

The centre-back also scored 11 goals during his time on the south coast, but was unable to prevent relegation from the Premier League.

Since moving to City, Ake has made 42 appearances, won the EFL Cup, two Premier League titles and reached the Champions League final.

Ake played the full 90 minutes of City's Premier League opener at West Ham last weekend and tomorrow looks set to feature against Cherries for the first time since departing the club, when Scott Parker's men head to Etihad Stadium (3pm).

Kelly spent one year as a teammate of Ake at Cherries, having arrived from Bristol City in the summer of 2019.

Discussing the prospect of coming up against the 27-year-old, Kelly told the Daily Echo: "I have a lot of love for Nath.

"When he was here, he kind of took me under his wing and I learned a lot from him in many aspects of his game.

"I’m happy to see him doing well over the past seasons. Of course, it will be nice to see him."

Ake scored the winning goal as Cherries beat Tottenham in May 2019, the same day as Mark Travers made his Premier League debut.

Goalkeeper Travers added on Ake: "An unbelievable player and an unbelievable guy as well, really humble guy and was a massive part of the club when he was here at Bournemouth.

"So it would be great to see him. He’s gone on to do amazing things and get great trophies, so it will be great to see him on Saturday."

Jordan Zemura was coming up through the ranks when Ake was part of the club.

"I know Nath, I would say a little bit well," said the 22-year-old.

"It’ll be nice to see him. I think he’ll be happy to see me and see my progression as well so be really good to go over there."

Looking ahead to the trip to the Etihad, he added: "We're just going to go out and give it our all, and as you can see we're a very strong unit and we're looking forward to that challenge.

"That’s why we’ve stepped up from the Championship, to be in this league, to play against the very best."

Lewis Cook was part of the Cherries squad when Ake arrived for his first spell at Vitality Stadium, on loan from Chelsea during the 2016-17 campaign.

“He has been here, so he is a top player and a top person as well," Cook said of the Netherlands international.

"I am looking forward to seeing him and have a nice chat.

“He’s a top player and a top person and deserves what he gets. Before and after a game, maybe a chat but during, we will have to leave the talking then."

Discussing the challenge of facing champions City, Cook added: "City are City. Everyone knows how good they are, probably the best team in the league.

"We are just really looking forward to coming up against probably the best players in the world and it’s just great test.

“It’s where you want to be, so I am looking forward to it."