STEPHEN Purches reported that Baily Cargill had reaped the benefits of game-time in senior football and said the hot prospect was “progressing nicely”.

Teenage Cherries defender Cargill, a product of the Dean Court youth ranks, has recently enjoyed a one-month loan spell in the Conference with Welling United.

Under the management of former Cherries midfielder Jamie Day, 18-year-old Cargill gained valuable experience at the highest level on the non-league ladder.

And player-coach Purches, who works closely with Cargill in his role heading up Cherries’ development squad, has been impressed by the youngster’s efforts.

Purches, who has made more than 300 appearances for Cherries, told the Daily Echo: “Baily went to AFC Totton last season for six months and he was their player of the season.

“He came into the development squad with me this season and has proved his consistency on a daily basis.

“He is a calm head at the back and Jamie Day wanted to use him on loan. He has done well and showed he can cope with the Conference at this moment in time. He is progressing nicely.”

Cherries have loaned a number of their development players to non-league clubs in recent months, with Aristide Bassele, Brandon Goodship and Josh Wakefield (all Dorchester Town), Jordan Chiedozie (Poole Town) and Chad Collins (Bashley) among those to get a taste of first-team action.

Meanwhile, Cherries star Tokelo Rantie arrived in Johannesburg on Monday to start preparing for South Africa’s friendly against Spain.

Rantie embarked on the long-haul flight just hours after netting his maiden goal for Cherries at Burnley.

The 23-year-old striker is one of no fewer than nine foreign-based players in the Bafana Bafana squad for the clash against the World and European champions.

Rantie will join a training camp on Saturday before South Africa host Spain on Tuesday in the FNB Stadium, more commonly known as Soccer City, the venue where they won the 2010 World Cup.