DETERMINED Dan Gosling said he felt “comfortable” with the captain’s armband and insisted: “I have the respect of a lot of the dressing room.”

The all-action midfielder has skippered Cherries twice in recent weeks, including during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Leicester, due to injuries suffered by Simon Francis, Andrew Surman and Steve Cook.

And with all three still set to be sidelined this weekend, Gosling is likely to lead the side against Burnley at Vitality Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

“My first time was against Wolves and then again at Leicester,” former Newcastle and Everton ace Gosling told the Daily Echo.

“It’s new to me, but it’s a role I feel comfortable with. Obviously I’d rather Franno be out there with it and we’ve still got Surs and Cooky as well, so I’m fourth in line but somebody has to do it.

“I feel I have the respect of a lot of the dressing room, which is good, but all the boys are helping me when I do have it.

“We’re all in it together but you do want more leaders out on the pitch, you can’t just have one.

“We’re missing a few big voices and big characters as well so it’s difficult but hopefully we can come through this, get some good results and finish the season really well.”

He added: “When I got told (about the captaincy) I wanted to try to be myself. I’m still myself, I don’t want to be over talkative in the dressing room because that wasn’t me to start with. I don’t want to change.

“You do have to take a little bit more responsibility with the referee and you’re a lot busier before the game, but it’s one that I feel comfortable with.

“I think on the pitch my energy, my drive and my determination to win will always come through and I’m pretty vocal on and off the pitch.”

Gosling will be hoping to lead by example as Cherries look to return to winning ways against relegation-threatened Burnley.

Defeat at Leicester meant Eddie Howe’s men have recorded just three victories in the past 15 matches, a run which has seen them drop to 12th in the Premier League.

And Gosling says the performance against the Clarets must be significantly improved.

“Burnley are a strong, physical and well-organised team and they know the drill in this league,” said the midfielder.

“They’ve done really well. Obviously this year has been hard for them with Europe and a lot more games but they’re a good outfit and it’s going to be a good test for us.

“At home with our fans we need to put on a good attacking display and we will be a lot more intense this week for sure.

“We’ll be ready for Burnley.”