CHERRIES development coach Stephen Purches believes Will Spetch is ready to make the grade in professional football – despite not being offered a Dean Court deal.

Former Cherries trialist Spetch is set to continue his protracted pursuit of a full-time deal by spending a week showcasing his talents at League One outfit Port Vale later this month.

The 22-year-old defender, who is under contract at Poole Town, has trained with Cherries, Huddersfield Town, Portsmouth and AFC Wimbledon with his club’s blessing.

He impressed while playing the full 90 minutes as an experimental Cherries side beat QPR 1-0 in a December friendly with a host of scouts looking on.

Spetch was told last month that Cherries would not be offering him a deal following his second trial in as many years.

But Purches – who said that Spetch was “more than welcome” to continue training with the Dorset club – still sees the Dolphins centre-half as a prospective professional and gave his attributes the seal of approval.

Purches told the Daily Echo: “He showed why there has been a lot of hype surrounding him and, while we were unable to offer him anything, I am sure something will happen for him.

“I think he probably would be ready. It is a big step up and he would find things very different in that environment compared with the type of (trial) game he played for us.

“But he has the ability so there’s a good chance he can forge a career in the game.”

Spetch is also understood to be on the radar of new Torquay boss and former Cherries coach Chris Hargreaves, while Yeovil Town, Birmingham City, Mansfield Town and Aldershot Town have all been linked this week.