BRETT Pitman is convinced Cherries are equipped for the Championship but believes there is still more to come from Eddie Howe’s promotion hopefuls.

Jerseyman Pitman has netted four times in eight League One appearances since returning to the club from Bristol City, initially on loan, in November.

The 24-year-old striker bagged 20 goals in the Championship for the Robins and is adamant Cherries could more than hold their own at the next level.

Pitman, who has plundered 63 league goals in his Cherries career, told the Daily Echo: “You can’t be a bad team if you don’t lose for 18 games. The run included a draw with a Premier League club in the FA Cup and some wins against some good teams. I still think there is more to come.

“We have got good players and we try to play the right way. We have a philosophy and a manager who believes and encourages us to play that way. He knows there are going to be mistakes at times and they might cost us goals.

“The easy way to play is to get the ball as far away as possible from your goal and the hard way is the way we are playing. At times, we have been very good at it.”

Pitman, whose Cherries move was made permanent earlier this month, is likely to feature when Howe’s men entertain League One rivals Crewe at Dean Court this afternoon (3pm).

  • Cherries are hoping Miles Addison can avoid going under the knife after stepping up his comeback bid.

The club captain upped his rehabilitation programme after taking advice from two surgeons on his foot problem.

Cherries confirmed that the defender had started running and could resume training within two weeks.

However, if Addison endures any further setbacks in his quest for fitness, Cherries confirmed he might be forced to have season-ending surgery.

Long-term injury victim Charlie Sheringham, sidelined since damaging his foot on Boxing Day 2011, is also making progress.

The striker has been working with sports scientist Dan Hodges and could rejoin first-team training in the next few weeks.