Purches has been racking up the minutes

It can't be easy to see lots of young new players all sparring for a spot in the first squad while you are also trying to regain your fitness after a horrific injury and taking on the new role coaching the Development squad, but Stephen Purches does not seem to rest on his laurels. Instead he quietly gets on with things and that has meant playing and coaching when the team played Christchurch, adding further minutes in his testimonial and valuable game time against Working and taking on the might of Real Madrid for 10 minutes.

 

You have to admit that Purches is committed to making a successful comeback. I don't see him being happy with being a fill in player in the Championship if he has the opportunity to play more first team football. That is going to be a difficult balancing act with his other duties, but if any one can do it Purchy can.

I was pleased to read all the great comments he had in his testimonial programme. Yet, I have been even more pleased that he has already moved on and is getting the minutes in during pre-season so that he really can play a vital role for the first team. His recovery could be a great bonus for Eddie Howe, because Purchy will put in 110 per cent and before his injury, in 2012, I think he was then probably our best player. If he can get back to that we really will have a new experienced player on our books.

Keep it going Purchy. We like what we have seen in pre-season.