CHERRIES boss Kevin Bond looks set to curtail the influx of trialists to Dean Court - with only a couple expected to be kept on.

Bond ran the rule over no fewer than 10 non-contracted players during Cherries' pre-season friendly defeat at Oxford United last night.

But after seeing his side go down 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium, Bond said he would be unlikely to pursue his interest in the majority of them.

South American trio Alfredo Novaes, Lidier Marmol and Marcio Giovanni are not expected to return, neither are Felicien Singbo, Reta Shehata, Shabazz Baidoo or Scott Lye.

However, French defender Christophe Jean Francois could feature against Portsmouth on Tuesday, as could Arsenal youngster Ryan Garry.

Garreth O'Connor, who took the tally of non-Cherries registered players into double figures, is expected to join the club on loan ahead of the new season.

But asked whether there would be many trialists on view against Pompey, Bond replied: "I don't think there will be too many around on Tuesday and the majority of the players who will be involved will be our players.

"I recognise that we've got two games left before the start of the season and 90 per cent of the players we use will either be our players or players who we hope will be our players.

"When you bring in players on trial, you always find 95 per cent of them will come and go. They have all been different class as guys and in the way that they have applied themselves. But they know as well as I do that there are only a couple of places to fill.

"We may have had 15 or 20 throughout the course of pre-season but history will tell you that only one or two will ever get taken on.

"It's just the nature of the business."

Egyptian striker Shehata caught the eye with his first-half display and also set up Cherries' goal for Darren Anderton.

But Bond added: "We recognise that he definitely has something but we just need to find out what the financial situation would be and if he is really what we want.

"I'm only going to be able to bring in one centre forward and that player has got to complement what we've got here already so I'll have to look at that as well."

Bond is aware his squad is still short on numbers ahead of the new season but insists he will not sign players just to bolster his resources.

"We are still looking to bring in players because our squad isn't big enough," he said.

"I'm fully aware we are a fortnight away from the start of the season and, in an ideal world, I would like a couple in.

"But I won't bring them in unless I think they are sufficient for us and I won't bring them in just for the sake of it."

Bond also said he had "a few players missing tonight who will be in the reckoning" and anticipates Paul Telfer, Neil Young and Russ Perrett will face Portsmouth on Tuesday.

  • CHERRIES legend Ted MacDougall will be signing prints of his famous diving header against Aston Villa at Dean Court on Tuesday.

MacDougall will be available for autographs and a limited number of questions in the First Floor Supporters' Bar ahead of Cherries' friendly against Portsmouth.

He will sign prints at 6.30pm before hosting a special question-and-answer session for guests in the Top Floor Restaurant from 6.45pm.

Tickets, which include a three-course dinner and a premium match seat, are still available. Contact Carl Wilson on 01202 726330 for bookings.