GARY O’Neil maintains he is still operating on a game-by-game basis, stressing: “I don’t expect anything”.

O’Neil will take charge of his ninth game as interim head coach of Cherries on Saturday, when Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur visit the Vitality Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Despite only three Premier League games remaining until the break for the World Cup in November, O’Neil insisted that he was still operating on a game-by-game basis in a caretaker capacity.

The hunt for a replacement for Scott Parker, who departed in August, has occurred concurrently with the takeover of the club by American businessman Bill Foley.

When asked if he expected to be in charge until the World Cup, O’Neil responded: “No, I don't expect anything.

“Just getting ready for (Saturday), I expect to have it for Tottenham. I expect to do well against Tottenham and then we'll see where we are after Tottenham.”

O’Neil has taken 10 points from his eight games in charge, losing his last two fixtures.

Tottenham Hotspur represents the first side in the top four Cherries will face since the 9-0 thrashing at Liverpool in August.

Asked if he thought Spurs would represent the biggest challenge has faced as Cherries boss, O’Neil responded: “Yeah, I think from the outside, everyone will expect them to finish very high up league.

“I did say the same about Newcastle. Newcastle are very, very good.

“But yes, got world class players, world class manager, who has been there a while now. They have a real clear identity with and without the ball.

“So it'll be a tough test, but one I'm really looking forward to.”