EX-Cherries star Warren Cummings said he had no hesitation in dropping into non-league and revealed he was due to start working on his coaching badges.

Cummings, one of Cherries’ top-20 all-time appearance makers, last night agreed terms on an initial one-month deal with Southern Premier new boys Poole Town, as revealed exclusively on the Daily Echo Twitter feed.

The 32-year-old has been training with Stephen Purches’s development squad at Dean Court since leaving League Two outfit AFC Wimbledon at the end of last season.

Cummings, capped by Scotland in 2002, made more than 350 appearances as a professional and was named in the PFA League One team of the season in 2005.

The Aberdonian, who started his career at Chelsea, is expected to feature when Poole host St Albans City in their Southern Premier opener at Tatnam tomorrow (3pm).

Cummings, who is also a keen follower of Poole Pirates, told the Daily Echo: “Whatever I did on the playing front, I wanted it to be local because I want to get my coaching badges done this year.

“It was hard work commuting to Wimbledon every day and I didn’t want to stay in full-time football unless something extraordinary came up. I was at a loose end and Poole were good enough to make me an offer.

“It suits both parties because I can play some games and we see how we get on with one another during the month. They have given me an opportunity to keep playing competitively and, if we both enjoy the month then perhaps it could be longer term. If things don’t work out then we will shake hands and part amicably.”

Cummings added: “I have been training with Purchy and have been watching him closely and talking to him about coaching. I have signed up for a couple of youth modules and want to work towards taking my UEFA B licence.

“Coaching is something I want in my armoury, another string to my bow. I don’t know whether anything will come my way but I want the badges just in case it does. I am passionate about the game and want to understand more about how it works, other than just playing. If I can be beneficial to a club somewhere down the line, I want to be well prepared.

“I would like to think I am extremely fit. It is a drop but I won’t be looking at it like that. I will be going out to play as hard and as well as I can for as long as I am there. I won’t be thinking about what level I am playing at and just want to do as best I can.

“I only real know what I have read in the Daily Echo about Poole. I know they have been very successful over the past few years and, hopefully, I can be part of their continued success.”