Bournemouth manager Jonathan Woodgate has told the Daily Echo that he intends to pick the brains of Blackburn's Tony Mowbray, as the former Middlesbrough pair prepare to reunite once again.

Woodgate previously played 34 games under the guidance of Mowbray at the Riverside Stadium during his playing days and has admitted that he used to watch his former manager play at centre back for Boro back in his younger years.

Both men have gone on to manage the North East club in the past and will once again lock horns this evening as their current sides face off at Ewood Park in a 3pm kick off.

Speaking ahead of the game between the two sides, Woodgate was quick to discuss how highly he thinks of his former boss:

"He’s someone who is a Middlesbrough legend. He was manager when I was a player.

“He brought me to the club for a second spell. I’ve got nothing but respect for Tony Mowbray.

“He’s had longevity in the game as well, had promotions with different clubs, plays good football at Blackburn, they’re a good footballing team.

“They’ve got some excellent players, so it will be good to pick his brain if I see him after the game. He lives in the same village as me as well.”

A victory for Bournemouth could well strengthen their hopes of a play-off place, whilst a win on home soil for Mowbray against his former player could move Rovers up to 14th in the league standings if other results across the division fall in their favour.

The Verdict 

Woodgate is slowly rebuilding his reputation at Bournemouth and is understandably keen to take on some more advice from his former mentor at Boro over the coming months.

The Cherries are still very much in the hunt for one of the play-off spots and will be keen to maintain some much needed consistency after picking up two wins in a row in the league.

He was taught a harsh lesson during his time in charge of Boro but with people like Mowbray on his side, there's no reason why he can't go on to achieve great things on the South Coast.

With eight games left to play, it's all still to play for at the Vitality Stadium and they will be keen to make sure that their hard work this term doesn't go to waste between now and the end of the campaign.