GARY O’Neil is remaining fully focused on the job at hand as he prepares to take charge of Cherries for what could be the final time this weekend.

The 39-year-old has been operating as interim head coach since Scott Parker was sacked in August.

Reports this week have suggested Cherries are on the lookout for a different longer-term successor, with the upcoming World Cup break seen as the ideal time to provide some further clarity.

The picture is also expected to look clearer when prospective new owner Bill Foley’s takeover of the club is fully ratified by the Premier League, which is expected in the next couple of weeks.

O’Neil has taken charge of 11 Cherries fixtures, the latest being a 4-1 win over Everton in the Carabao Cup last night.

Cherries host Frank Lampard’s Toffees again on Saturday in the Premier League, in the club’s final game until December 27.

Asked if he expects this to be his final week in charge of the team, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “My plans are to try and put some more points on the board on Saturday.

“If I look back over the last 10 (league) games, we have 10 points. If I look at where the individuals are now compared to where they were when I picked them up after the Liverpool game, the improvements have been huge in individuals.

“I think there’s so many of them that have come on so much.

“We’ve looked a goal threat, we’ve been in every single game. Maybe apart from the last four minutes at West Ham or whatever it was, once it goes to 2-0.

“And there are still things we need to improve.

“Seeing out football matches has obviously been one of them. It wasn’t one that I knew before, but you don’t expect to go two goals up too often in the Premier League.

“Now I know that that is an area we need to improve and it will be improved.”

He added: “My only focus is to put as many points on the board as I can for Bournemouth and to make sure that the lads are always in a good place.

“We will go full tilt from now to Saturday and as always see where the chips land.”

Asked further about links to the possible upcoming vacancy at Luton Town, with their boss Nathan Jones heavily linked with a move to Southampton, O’Neil said: “I am fully focused on the Everton game at the weekend.

“I have no interest in discussing other jobs.

“I’m doing a job at the moment that I love. I’m really grateful to Bournemouth for allowing me so long in charge of this team. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.

“I’m going to enjoy the next four days and then let’s worry about what happens to Gary O’Neil after that. My full focus at the minute is making sure the team are ready.”