MARVIN Bartley is prepared to continue his emergency defensive duties as Cherries search for a solution during Jason Pearce’s lay-off.
The Dean Court captain faces a minimum of three weeks on the sidelines because of a fractured toe.
Boss Eddie Howe, though, is extremely short of central defensive cover – with Shaun Cooper, Joe Partington and Scott Guyett also on the casualty list.
But midfielder Bartley stepped in with a solid performance during Saturday’s victory over Morecambe – and he is ready to continue at the back if called upon.
The former non-league star said: “I just want to play so, whether it’s at centre-back or in centre midfield, I’ve just got to do a job for the team.
“I prefer to play in central midfield but, while we’re short on numbers, I don’t mind going at centre-back.”
Bartley, who last played regularly in defence for Reading’s centre of excellence at the age of 14, added: “Jason helps me and tells me a few things I need to be aware of when I’m back there and it helped on Saturday. Having Ryan Garry alongside me as well was good.”
Meanwhile, just a week after being rushed to Shrewsbury to answer a first team SOS, schoolboy striker Jayden Stockley was back in Cherries’ under-16s line-up.
The striker fired a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Chapel Gate.
