BOSS Eddie Howe has described owner Maxim Demin as “a real driving force” and “pivotal to our success”.

Demin will be hoping to see his investment in the club come to fruition as Cherries look to all but secure promotion to the Premier League tomorrow.

The wealthy Russian businessman purchased a 50 per cent stake in the club in November 2011 before taking full control when he bought Eddie and Brenda Mitchell’s shareholdings at the start of last season.

In March 2014, Demin handed Howe and assistant Jason Tindall two-year contract extensions with the pair tied to the Dorset outfit at least until the summer of 2018.

Howe said: “Max has given us licence to invest in the squad and facilities as well. He has been a real driving force behind all the improvements at the club. You don’t get to this position on hard work alone, you need investment at this level.

“We have had to improve the players we inherited but have had to cherry-pick some good ones to go with them to move things forward. Max has been pivotal to our success and will remain so for as long as he is here.”

Howe, who has an excellent working relationship with Demin, has always maintained he wanted to help repay the Russian's commitment to Cherries and has said he has no plans to leave the club of his own accord.