BRIAN Howard has described the possibility of joining Cherries as "perfect for me".

The out-of-contract Swindon Town star has confirmed he has already held preliminary talks with boss Sean O'Driscoll.

O'Driscoll is keen to find replacements for Burnley-bound Wade Elliott and Garreth O'Connor - and Howard would certainly fit the bill.

The former England youth international, who lives in Southampton, can operate on the left-hand side of midfield where O'Connor was so effective for Cherries.

Howard, who netted 10 times in two seasons with the Robins, says he is unlikely to sign a new deal at the County Ground this summer.

The 22-year-old, who is likely to be available on a free transfer, told the Daily Echo: "Sean spoke to me and said with Wade and Garreth gone, they are looking to fill those gaps with players of that quality or better if they can.

"He's known about me for a while and I spoke to a few of their players during the season. I said I quite fancy Bournemouth if I can get down there because they are a good footballing side and living down south would be perfect for me. Sean asked me if I would be interested if they could do something. He wanted to know my situation and I said I'm 95 per cent certain to be leaving Swindon. They can't offer anything decent and want every player to take a pay cut."

Howard, who is also being tracked by a Northern-based League One club, added: "Another club have come in and shown a real interest and offered a very good contract.

"Bournemouth know what it is and I know Sean's got a meeting this week with the chairman, his scouts and directors to see which players they can come up with and what they've got to spend.

"He said he was definitely interested in me and I'm interested to see what they can come up with so he's going to see what he can do and then he'll get back to my agent.

"I'm not a big money man but I've have been offered a very good contract at another club and if Bournemouth could get close to it then I would definitely want to play for them. I'd like to see what they've got to say."