BOURNEMOUTH boss Budge Pountney welcomed the return of popular full-back Karim Lynch – even if it means bending his strict rules on training.

Lynch, 25, is in his fifth season with Lions and played a pivotal part in their National Three South West title success in 2012 with 14 tries in 18 matches.

With work commitments stifling his involvement at Chapel Gate this season, Lynch briefly linked up with former Bournemouth winger Jaryd Robinson at Henley Hawks.

However, the free-scoring favourite made a swift return to his former club over the Christmas break and managed to find time to train with the squad ahead of last weekend’s postponed match with fellow strugglers Exmouth.

And while Pountney recognises that Lynch, pictured, may not make every training session, Bournemouth’s director of rugby welcomed the prospect of adding punch to his struggling side’s play.

Discussing Lynch, Pountney told the Daily Echo: “He is a really well liked member of the squad who has a proper emotional attachment to the club and appreciates being in the team. His problem is with training and we have to work round that.

“The biggest issue we have is trying to develop the culture where you only play if you train, but that is difficult with amateur players when work gets in the way.

“There have to be unusual circumstances involved to make exceptions and Karim falls into that bracket.

“Most of the players have good jobs and it is tough to find that flexibility but we have to ensure that these things remain unusual and don’t become the norm.”