Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier has praised the impact former Cherries boss Jonathan Woodgate had on his career.

The two worked together when they were at Middlesbrough, with Tavernier remembering the time fondly.

Woodgate, an ex-England and Real Madrid center-back, was at Boro coaching between 2017 to 2019.

“He was great for me," Tavernier told the Daily Echo, discussing his time under Woodgate.

“He's the one who gave me my first proper chance at Middlesbrough and I can say nothing but good words about him.

“He gave me hard times at times, but that's what I needed as a young lad.

“I needed that to learn my trade and I know what I needed to do coming forward."