KEL READY FOR THE LIMELIGHT

EDDIE HOWE has turned to the old guard to try to get Bournemouth out of their relegation nightmare.

The Cherries picked up a precious point, which halted a run of five straight defeats, on Thursday night as they held Tottenham to a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium.

It left Howe’s team still three points from safety with four games left, starting with tomorrow’s visit of Leicester in a must win game – but it was a performance of fire and grit which had been sadly lacking. In the middle of it was midfielder Dan Gosling, 30, and Junior

Stanislas, who were both signed in 2014.

Gosling, who has struggled with a hip problem this year which has restricted him to only 11 league starts, was a real driving force in midfield against Spurs for the Cherries. Howe (with Gosling, above) said: “There are players who have never let you down, you know will give you 100 per cent. They have done it for you before, there is trust they will do it for you again.

“A player like Dan, who has had his fitness issues, I was delighted to bring back. He was absolutely outstanding, he gave us a drive, an energy and defensive solidity that was hugely important. These players have really been huge for us down the years.

“Dan is a real leader – and with no supporters in the stadium that gets highlighted. At times we have been quiet. Dan is an energiser and a positive person. His voice is pivotal.”

Gosling, who was starting his first league game since February, said: “Thursday was a massive improvement. There was a bit of heart there, of desire. But we’ve got to do that consistently.

“Time is running out, so we have to do that every game from now until the end of the season. We need to beat Leicester.”

KELECHI IHEANACHO has been backed by Brendan Rodgers to shoot himself out of Jamie Vardy’s shadow.

Leicester boss Rodgers says there is no reason why the 23-year-old Nigeria international cannot step into hotshot Vardy’s boots one day.

Iheanacho, a £25million buy from Manchester City three years ago, has scored twice in his last three games and Rodgers believes he can use Vardy’s iconic status as an inspiration to go even better.

Rodgers said: “I think when Jamie moves on you’ll always have competition here. Jamie’s a unique player and he has a number of years left.

“Then it’ll be over to people like Kels or anyone else to come in and take on that mantle.”