CHERRIES forward Alex Dobre set his sights on earning a first-team place after penning a fresh three-year deal with the club.

The Romanian youth international is yet to make an appearance for Eddie Howe’s senior squad but has been on the bench during Carabao Cup victories over MK Dons and Blackburn this campaign.

The 20-year-old featured on loan for both Bury and Rochdale in League One last season and scored his first Football League goal for the latter against Walsall in March.

He told the club website: “I'm looking forward to making my first-team debut and doing great things here.

"My plans are to get into the first XI. I'm looking forward to getting a chance in the cup games this season and, if I can play well, then I am looking to get a chance in the Premier League.

"It was difficult when I first came here because the training is harder, more intense, and the game is faster. I needed to adapt to that and that's what I've done.

“Since I came to England I've gained a lot of experience from the games here, they made me grow up, become more mature and I've learned a lot of things from the professional games.”