MANAGER Lee Bradbury is hoping new recruit Donal McDermott will sprinkle his magic dust on the final stages of Cherries’ promotion push.

Bradbury yesterday swooped for the gifted 21-year-old after Premier League Manchester City had agreed to loan him out until the end of the season.

McDermott, who would also be available for any potential play-off matches, first came to Bradbury’s attention when he terrorised Cherries during a loan spell with Chesterfield last season.

The skilful Dubliner turned in a virtuoso display and starred as the Spireites ruined Cherries’ unbeaten home start under Eddie Howe with a 2-1 win at Dean Court in October 2009.

Versatile McDermott, who can operate anywhere across midfield and up front, netted five goals during a fruitful 15-match stay with Chesterfield.

He also played nine times in the Championship during a loan spell at Scunthorpe last season and signed a new two-year deal at the City of Manchester Stadium in the summer.

Bradbury revealed McDermott had been on Cherries’ radar ever since he took charge at Dean Court, with chief scout Des Taylor regularly monitoring him during reserve games for Manchester City.

Cherries assistant manager Steve Fletcher also sounded out his former Chesterfield team-mate Jack Lester about the adept Irishman.

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the loan window had closed last night, Bradbury said: “He had been on our list for a while and was a player we had been keeping tabs on for some time. We liked what he did at Chesterfield. He did really well for them.

“Des Taylor has been watching his progress and, when I was told by an agent that he would be available, we went after him because he is the type of player we want. He will give us a lot of options. He can play a number of different positions and is very good going forward.

“Donal is versatile and a quality player. It is good to be able to add someone with his quality for the run-in.”

Meanwhile, Bradbury said he may still consider loan moves for some of his fringe players, with the loan window only applicable to teams in the Conference and above.

• Bradbury is running the rule over goalkeeper Billy Lumley, another product of the Glenn Hoddle Academy. The 21-year-old former Wolves apprentice, who stands 6ft 5ins tall, could line up in a friendly against a Reading XI on Tuesday.