CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has handed Joe Partington and Darryl Flahavan an opportunity to extend their respective stays at Dean Court.

Utility man Partington has been offered a new two-year contract, while goalkeeper Flahavan is considering terms on a 12-month deal.

Back-up goalkeeper Benji Buchel has also been offered a new one-year contract, while talks with veteran striker Steve Fletcher are continuing.

Development squad quintet Jordan Chiedozie, Josh Wakefield, Harrison Gilkes, Aristide Bassele and Dan Strugnell have been offered three-month deals.

The players were given the news earlier today as Howe concluded his individual post-season debriefs. Striker Charlie Sheringham did not feature on the club's retained list.

Both Partington and Flahavan have had their fair share of injury problems this season, while Buchel is set for another six months on the sidelines.

Howe said: “We have been working with Joe as a central defender for the past six months and he has made really good progress in that position. For how we play, we need centre-halves who can handle the ball and he can certainly do that.

“He is developing the defending side of his game all the time and has shown a great attitude to the work we have given him. We are hopeful that, in time, he can develop into a top-class centre-half.

“Darryl has had his problems and we haven't seen a great deal of him due to his shoulder injury. But what we have seen since he has come back to fitness is someone who is a really good worker. He has an excellent attitude and has been very supportive to Ryan Allsop behind the scenes.

“Darryl is a great role model for any young goalkeeper coming through. We are delighted to offer him a year's contract and hope he will continue to provide good support to Ryan and also push him for the number one shirt.

“Benji was doing really well prior to his injury and is an excellent prospect. Unfortunately, he suffered a nasty injury while on loan to Dorchester.

“As a club, we wanted to show our support at a time when he needs it. It is a bad injury and he won't be fit for six months so we are going to give him the best chance to recover fully from his injury and look to get him back training in January.”

Howe said short-term contracts for Chiedozie, Wakefield, Gilkes, Bassele and Strugnell would give them an “opportunity to impress to earn a longer deal”.

Fletcher, who is also out of contract at the end of June, will be a Sky Sports summariser for the League One play-off semi-final between Swindon and Brentford on Saturday.

Meanwhile, rumours linking Cherries with former Poole Town striker Charlie Austin and Tranmere defender Zoumana Bakayogo are understood to be wide of the mark.