CHERRIES stalwart Marc Pugh is adamant he still has "loads to offer" in the Premier League and insists he will not be content "just to pick my wages up".

Fans' favourite Pugh, who has been at Dean Court for six and a half years, has managed only 38 minutes of first-team football so far this season.

The winger's inaction has been due not only to fierce competition in the wide positions but also a hamstring injury which left the ex-Hereford man on the sidelines.

Pugh's only top-flight appearance to date this season came when he replaced Joshua King late on in the 1-0 win at Stoke City earlier this month. He had previously featured for 29 second-half minutes in August's EFL Cup triumph at Morecambe.

Reflecting on his season so far, Pugh told the Daily Echo: "As a player, if you aren't playing it can be really frustrating and you just have to work hard, knuckle down and do everything you can.

"I've got no regrets. I'm a firm believer that if I'm doing everything possible to get in the team then that's all I can do. At this moment in time, I'm not in the starting XI but I will do everything in my power to try and change that.

"I'm massive on playing football, I don't want to be there just to pick my wages up. I want to play week in, week out if I can.

"Unfortunately, at the moment it's not happening. I'm not a great watcher of football because I want to be out there but it's part and parcel of the game. You have setbacks and have to deal with the tough times and be ready when called upon.

"I've got loads to offer. I started 15 games in the Premier League last season and made 26 appearances, scored a few goals and got a few assists. For my first Premier League season, I was really happy with my totals.

"It's just unfortunate that this year I haven't played as much as I would like. Hopefully, that will change soon."

The 29-year-old has been in boss Eddie Howe's past three matchday squads and featured in Cherries Under-21s' 8-1 Central League thrashing of Peterborough United earlier this month.

The wide man could be involved when Stephen Purches's side make the trip to Bristol Rovers today (1pm).

Pugh added: "I've just got to get a little bit more game time and, hopefully, I can prove I'm worthy of the shirt."

The Lancastrian was speaking to the Daily Echo while visiting Templeman House in Bournemouth as part of Cherries' partnership with Care South.

Pugh is ambassador for the Community Sports Trust scheme and, alongside club legend Steve Fletcher, he visited residents at the Northbourne care home.

The winger continued: "It's really important to do this sort of work. I've always said I love to give back to people.

"It's good to come and visit the older generation and see how they are doing, and it's nice to put smiles on people's faces."