Matt loves Cherries

MATT RITCHIE gets a rush seeing Bournemouth charge up the Premier League – despite battling relegation with Newcastle.

The winger faces his old club at St James’ Park tomorrow, saying Eddie Howe’s Cherries are “still very much a part of me”.

Ritchie, 29, said: “We were such a tight group at Bournemouth.

“It makes me so proud to sit back knowing I played my own part in getting a fantastic club to where they are today.

“It was my decision to leave Bournemouth because Newcastle was the place I wanted to be – and it’s the same now.”