CHERRIES coach Carl Fletcher tipped Jordan Lee and Callum Stanton for bright futures following their respective departures from Vitality Stadium.

Defender Lee and goalkeeper Stanton both had their contracts cancelled by mutual consent ahead of the closing of the transfer window.

The Dorset-raised pair, who both signed professional terms after progressing through the Cherries youth ranks, are now free to find other clubs.

Lee featured in Cherries’ Premier League Cup win over Bury earlier this month and scored during a friendly against Grasshopper Zurich on Tuesday.

Stanton, meanwhile, has been turning out this season for Guernsey in Division One South of the Isthmian League.

Both Lee and Stanton had been members of Fletcher’s under-21 squad and also worked under him when he was youth team manager.

Fletcher told the Daily Echo: “They are both good players, otherwise they wouldn’t have been here in the first place.

“Sometimes, circumstances change and football is a game of opinions. Whether it is here or any other club, your career isn’t always going to go in a straight path.

“They are both great guys, hard working and with a good attitude. We will hopefully help them have long careers in the game.”

Agreement was reached with the pair regarding the remainder of their contracts, freeing them to move outside of the transfer window.

Fletcher added: “We are in a tough situation because, being in the Premier League, we are guided by the transfer window.

“If we have players who need to get games and don’t get anything by the end of January, then they are stuck here which is unfortunate because it doesn’t really help them.

“It is one of the biggest issues we have, especially when lads are young and are getting experience because they need to be playing first-team football.

“It is not always set in stone that a club is going to need someone in January or just before the start of the season but that is when they have to move if they are under contract.

“Being free agents, Jordan and Callum now have the opportunity to trial at other clubs and would be allowed to sign for them now rather than being stuck waiting for another six months.”

Lee, who has had two loan spells with Torquay in the past 12 months, featured for 72 minutes against Bury and could again play when Cherries face the Shakers in the return Premier League Cup clash at Gigg Lane on Tuesday.

“Every game is a shop window for these lads,” added Fletcher. “Whatever age and whether it is youth team or under-21s, you never know who is watching. You may only have to have one good performance for someone to take a liking to you.

“For us as a club, it is important we help players going forward in their careers. Just because it might not be here doesn’t mean it can’t be somewhere else.

"We will help players every step of the way."