CHERRIES boss Kevin Bond says he has an "excellent chance" of bringing highly-rated Portsmouth youngster Jason Pearce to Dean Court ahead of the new campaign.

The 19-year-old defender has been training with Bond's squad since the start of pre-season and has turned in impressive displays in Cherries' first three friendlies.

And Bond, who worked with Pearce during his time as assistant to Harry Redknapp at Fratton Park, has hinted he could be looking to sign the teenager, possibly on a season-long loan.

Pearce came through the ranks at Pompey and made 19 appearances during a loan spell at Woking last season, scoring on his debut against eventual Conference champions Dagenham and Redbridge.

Bond told the Daily Echo: "Jason has done well since he's been here. I remember him from when I was at Portsmouth and Harry has been keeping me abreast about how he's been doing.

"He's developing into a promising young left-sided centre-back-cum-left-back and to have somebody who can do a job in those positions is always dead handy.

"We've brought him in so we can have a look at him and he can see how he feels about us and that's where we are at this moment in time."

Bond has already significantly bolstered his defensive resour-ces this summer by recruiting vastly experienced pair Russ Perrett and Paul Telfer.

But with Neil Young, Josh Gowling, Shaun Cooper and Warren Cummings his only other recognised defenders, Bond knows Pearce would provide excellent cover at the back.

Bond added: "As I've said before, we've got to put together a squad of players who are all capable of playing in the first team. Jason is a player who is on the up and someone who will improve. He was at Woking last season and coped adequately with that level.

"I'm sure he could cope with League One football so would be somebody who I think we would benefit from having and he would definitely benefit from being here."

Pearce will step up his education when he lines up against Saints today and is expected to join Bond's squad at nextweek's training camp at Woodbury Park.

Bond added: "He's here so we can have a good look at him and he can have a look at us. The most important thing is that he is here and he won't be going anywhere else. When I get the chance to meet up with Harry, I'm sure we will sort something out to keep him here so we can help him develop and he can help us put a squad together."

Pearce is likely to be joined at Cherries' training camp next week by fellow trialists Marvin Bartley and Ryan Garry. Bond has invited the pair to join his squad for the four-day trip to Nigel Mansell's hotel and country club near Exeter.

Combative midfielder Bartley, who was playing for Hampton and Richmond last season, has caught the eye with his tenacious displays so far.

The tough-tackling 21-year-old even picked up a rare pre-season booking following a crunching challenge on Paolo Vernazza during Cherries' midweek defeat at Weymouth.

Freed Arsenal defender Garry, meanwhile, is expected to have his first run-out at Oxford next week after spending a few days training with Cherries.