CAPTAIN Jason Pearce has vowed that Cherries’ focus will be firmly on today’s opponents Plymouth – rather than off-field conjecture.

Dean Court boss Eddie Howe has this week been heavily linked with the managerial vacancy at Crystal Palace.

Cherries are understood to have reluctantly given permission for the Eagles to speak to the 33-year-old.

Although neither Howe nor chairman Eddie Mitchell has confirmed an approach, the Echo understands the Cherries boss has already held talks with the Championship outfit.

But despite the highly-rated boss being the frontrunner for the Selhurst Park hot-seat, Pearce insisted it was business as usual for his side.

He told the Echo: “There has been loads of speculation throughout the season of other jobs. You know it’s there but you just get on with the job at hand.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on what we have to do and the only thing we’re thinking about is the Plymouth game.

“Eddie and Jason are still here and that’s all that matters at the moment.

“We’ve got a massive game against Plymouth, we need to get three points and that’s what we’re focusing on.”

Discussing Howe, he added: “I’ve got great respect for him and, hopefully, he’s got respect for me as a player as well. There is mutual respect there.

“He has helped me throughout my career – when he was coach (during Kevin Bond’s reign) and then as manager he made me captain.

“It is a great honour and a great privilege to work under him.”

Pearce has been a key factor in Cherries’ promising start to life in League One and he is hoping they can maintain their momentum during the business end of the campaign.

He is looking forward to this afternoon’s game, where he will be come up against Argyle hotshot Bradley Wright-Phillips, reportedly a transfer target for top-flight Blackpool.

Having kept Swindon’s highly rated Charlie Austin quiet last week, the defender is looking forward to his latest challenge.

Pearce added: “He has been linked with a Premier League club and has a lot of talent.

“I’ve never played against him before so I hope he plays and I relish the opportunity to play against him.”