MANAGER Eddie Howe insists a favourable fixture list will count for little as Cherries prepare for their decisive end-of-season run-in.

Table-topping Cherries trained in Dubai during the international break and return to action with a trip to Ipswich Town on Friday (5.15pm).

Howe told Sport360: “It’s all about keeping this group concentrated on the short-term objectives. The only way I can do that is by commenting on the short-term objectives which is the next game. Next season isn’t in our thoughts.

“People say we have got a decent run-in but the Championship has proved that no game is easy and no-one gives you anything.

“The games are very competitive, the margins are very small between winning and losing, so we respect all the teams in the division and we know it is going to be very tough.”

On the training trip, Howe added: “The facilities are first class and I am really impressed. We have been well looked after and I think it has been a worthwhile experience.

“We have worked the players very hard. It was a change of environment for us and a chance to take the players away, get some privacy and do some hard work.

"It was very hot. We have trained early and got our work in. I hope we go back a better team than when we came.”

Meanwhile, Cherries' development squad travel to Peterborough today in the Final Third Development League (1pm).