Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe gives Adam Smith backing

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has backed defender Adam Smith after his recent mistake which cost Bournemouth all three points against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Cherries will effectively seal promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history if they beat Bolton Wanderers tomorrow night, but it would have been made easier had Smith not conceded a last-gasp penalty which handed Sheffield Wednesday a draw last weekend.

Former Tottenham Hotspur man Smith, who turns 24 this week, hasn't started a league game for Bournemouth in over two months, but he could be in the lineup against Bolton as first-choice right-back Simon Francis is suspended.

Howe described Smith's character as "very strong" and suggested that he could be named in the starting XI.

"I don't think Adam needs any added motivation because he has been champing at the bit to play this season," Howe told the Daily Echo.

"Anyone who saw our cup games would tell you how impressive he was and some of those were against Premier League players so we have no doubts about his quality or ability.

"We do have options available to us. We could change system and that is something we have looked at over the past few weeks. We are not pigeon-holed into one way of dealing with Simon's suspension. Adam is a top-quality player and a very strong character."

Bournemouth (+47) are currently level on points with third-placed Middlesbrough (+31), but will be all but up if they win as their goal difference is so much better than the North-East club. Watford have already guaranteed Premier League football for next season.