CHERRIES chairman Peter Phillips today expressed his gratitude to Portsmouth for their co-operation over the deal that brought Eddie Howe back to Dean Court permanently.

The club received clearance from The Premier League yesterday in time to complete the deal and allow Howe to play in today's FA Cup first round tie at Forest Green Rovers (3pm kick-off).

He has signed a two-and-a-half year contract but Phillips insists the deal would not have been possible without the flexibility of the Premiership club.

He said: "I spoke with Milan Mandaric (Pompey chairman) and Peter Storrie (Pompey chief executive) this week and would like to express my sincere thanks to them for being so helpful to us.

"It was not an easy situation because Portsmouth paid £400,000 for Eddie only two-and-a-half years ago and he has only played a couple of times for them. So for us to ask Portsmouth to then pay up his contract is perhaps not the easiest of things for them to accept.

"But we both agreed that none of the circumstances were the fault of Eddie and he has been a credit to Portsmouth while he's been there in very difficult circumstances.

"We reached an equitable agreement with Portsmouth. There was no transfer fee involved; we haven't bought Eddie. They released him from his contract so he was a free agent and we were able to sign him, for which we are very grateful to them."

Howe's return to Dean Court was facilitated in part by the extraordinary response to 'Eddie Share'- a scheme instigated by Phillips on an independent supporters' website- which raised almost £15,000 in its first 36 hours.

Phillips added: "The money raised was crucial. Everyone knows we have no spare cash. We can't afford to take on new players, even of the quality of Eddie, without them agreeing to a substantial pay-cut, which Eddie has, and also receiving some additional funding.

"Playershare did not have the funds available and the fans have stepped in and solved the problem for us again.

"The deal would not have gone through without the money that came in from our supporters. One supporter in particular made a major donation and then there was the extraordinary response we got to 'Eddie Share'.

"With the money, we were able to reach an agreement where we have now signed Eddie for two-and-a-half years and that just wouldn't have been possible with the constraints in our budget without this help."

Pompey chief executive Storrie said: "Eddie is one of the nicest guys around and we are only happy to help him secure his future. The deal that was worked out helps Bournemouth but ensures we will benefit depending on appearances and so on."

Midfielder John Spicer's loan extension was rubber-stamped yesterday, allowing him to line up at Forest Green today.

The Arsenal man, who has netted three times in his 12 loan appearances, will remain at Dean Court for a third month.