CHERRIES star Michael Symes believes his strike partnership with Wes Thomas could prove fruitful for Lee Bradbury’s men this season.

The pair have been pivotal in helping Cherries collect precious points from their past two games with Symes and Thomas registering three goals between them.

Loan signing Thomas bagged a double in Cherries’ battling 2-2 draw at MK Dons, while fit-again Symes was on target from the penalty spot during the 1-1 draw with Rochdale.

Both performances were enlivened after Symes had come off the bench, the 27-year-old staking his claim for a first start of the season against Bury at the Seward Stadium on Saturday.

Symes, who netted eight goals for Cherries during an injury-plagued debut season, has turned in three eye-catching displays as a substitute since returning to action after recovering from a groin injury.

Speaking to the Daily Echo following the draw at MK Dons, Symes said: “Wes is a good player, a hard worker and a good finisher.

“I have been working with him in training and, the more we get to know each other’s game, the better. I am looking forward to playing up front with him.

“I can hold up the ball and win most of my headers and he has got good movement. Hopefully, we can complement one another. He is also an unselfish player so I think we can do well and score a lot of goals together.”

Symes’s return to fitness has come as a welcome boost to Cherries with the Aintree-reared frontman giving boss Bradbury another much-needed option ahead of a series of tough fixtures.

Bradbury, also speaking following the 2-2 draw at stadiummk, said: “I thought Michael and Wes worked really well against two really strong and experienced centre-halves. I thought they caused them a few problems in the second half and I was really pleased.

“They have worked hard in training together to try to strike up an understanding. They are building on it day in, day out. Michael is a hold-up targetman who can score goals as well and Wes is an off-the-shoulder link player. But they can both do both jobs and, if they can get an understanding of who is doing what and when, they will be good.”

Thomas, who will sign permanently for Cherries in January, added: “Michael holds up the ball well and is a different type of striker to me. I think we will have a great partnership when we start playing together more.”