LEE Bradbury believes Cherries’ new-found off-field stability could be the catalyst to extend Steve Cook’s Seward Stadium stay.

Cook has turned in a series of impressive displays since joining Bradbury’s ranks on loan from Championship outfit Brighton.

The 20-year-old made his debut in the 3-1 win at Preston on October 29, before starring as Cherries ended their home hoodoo with a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe the following week.

And although Cook was left shell-shocked by Cherries’ 6-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy reverse at Brentford, the Hastings-born centre-half was back to his wholehearted best in the 1-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

Boss Bradbury, who has seen Russian millionaire Maxim Demin take a 50 per cent stake in the Dorset club in recent weeks, told the Echo: “I’m really impressed with Steve. Out of the four games he has played, we have had three clean sheets. He is a young lad and full of enthusiasm, a good defender with good feet. I like him.

“I watched him a few times and brought him in and him staying could be an option for us. At this moment in time, we have Stephane Zubar as well so we have a few selection headaches. But that is what I want and it can only be good for the club.

“I have a bit of leeway, a lot more than I have had before, with regards to bringing people in, but I have to be careful. I don’t want a squad that is too big and I don’t want to bring in the wrong characters because it only takes one bad apple to upset the cart.”

Cook has already suggested he would be open to a longer stay in Dorset, with his Seagulls career limited to just a handful of cup appearances thus far.

Bradbury, meanwhile, admitted he could have to trim his personnel after Simon Francis became the 34th member of the current Cherries squad following his loan move from Charlton.

Bradbury added: “Every manager has to face the prospect of releasing players and I am prepared for that. I haven’t had a conversation with the board about the squad size but it’s something that could happen if they feel the squad is too big.”