EDDIE Howe revealed how Stephen Purches's willingness to tackle the "unglamorous side of the game" had earned him promotion to the role of first-team coach.

Purches has stepped up from his position as under-21s boss, with Saturday's defeat at West Brom being his first game in the new job.

One of Cherries' all-time leading appearance-makers, the 37-year-old was elevated permanently to Howe’s backroom staff following his playing retirement in May 2014.

And Howe explained the time had been right to promote Purches to supplement the existing first-team coaching set-up.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "Purchy is a really good coach who has developed very well with the development squad.

"I've been really impressed with his work and what he's done. He has always shown a great attitude to coaching and has put the hard hours into the unglamorous side of the game.

"He has really learned his trade so I think it is only right. We felt we needed more support in that area and we turned to him.

"Whenever you see someone who you think has a really good football brain and a really good understanding of the game, naturally, if they work hard enough they will have a good career.

"I think Purchy will have a good career in coaching, wherever that takes him. But we're delighted to add him to the first-team staff."

Following Purches's shift, Mark Molesley will take charge of the under-21s until at least the end of the season.

Howe added: "I'm delighted for Mark. He is a really infectious character and wants to learn. He has had loads of experiences in the game through the hard work which he did to get himself up into the Football League.

"He will be able to pass that wisdom on to the younger guys."