STRIKER Michael Symes admits his future with Cherries is uncertain following his 11th-hour deadline-day move to League One rivals Rochdale.

Symes reunited at Spotland with his former Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman after joining Dale on loan until the end of the season on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old, who is out of contract with Cherries in the summer, revealed he had asked boss Lee Bradbury to consider the temporary switch due to a lack of game-time this season.

Symes has played second fiddle to in-form Wes Thomas for much of the campaign and was aware the arrival of Matt Tubbs this week would have pushed him further down the pecking order.

Since overcoming a groin injury and hitting the comeback trail in October, Symes has made 17 appearances for Cherries – eight of which came from the bench.

Symes told the Daily Echo: “I missed the first few weeks of the season but have been injury-free ever since. Once I was fit, we were playing one up front and I couldn’t get in because Wes has been doing so well.

“I have played in the hole recently and, although I didn’t mind, it is not my game. I am an out-and-out striker and that’s where I like playing. I have been playing out of position and it has been difficult.

“I was back on the bench against Chesterfield and Matt Tubbs will probably play with Wes after coming in this week. Sitting on the bench and getting on for five or 10 minutes here and there is not going to do me any good.

“I spoke to Bradders and he understood the reason I wanted to go. He didn’t ask me to go, I instigated it. He was happy for me to stay but I wasn’t happy just sitting on the bench and not getting games.”

Symes, who was married in the summer, will leave wife Joanne in Bournemouth and was unsure whether his brief appearance at Chesterfield was his last in a Cherries shirt.

“I love the area and moving was the last thing I wanted but I needed to be playing games,” added Symes. “My wife has a good job so she can’t just up sticks and come with me. It is only a loan so I don’t know whether I will be coming back here.

“I am out of contract in the summer and that is one of the reasons why I need games. A new contract has been mentioned a couple of times but nothing has been put in front of me. I didn’t want to hang on and then find the season had finished. I haven’t played many games and was out of the shop window.

“I would love to stay here but it is out of my hands and down to Bradders. All I can do is concentrate on doing as well as I can for Rochdale and then see what happens.”

Symes will be hoping to feature when Dale face leaders Charlton at the Valley on Saturday, although will be ineligible to face Cherries when they travel to Spotland on February 18.