CAPTAIN Chris Park heaped praise on youngster Jacob Gordon after his positive form earned him a recall to Bournemouth’s first team.

The teenage all-rounder has been selected for Lions’ Southern Premier League showdown at Havant on Saturday (11am) after a run of impressive scores.

Gordon, who recently struck 122 for Dorset’s under-17s against Cornwall, has recorded knocks of 93 and 61 not out for Bournemouth’s second team over the past two weeks.

As well as being an extra spin option with the ball, Park believes the youngster deserves the chance to add to his eight first-team appearances.

Quizzed on Gordon, who replaces Martin Miller, the Lions captain told the Daily Echo: “He is a person in form but a young lad who is improving every single week at the moment.

“I didn’t select him last week but after three scores like that, we need to get him in and strengthen our batting a little more.

“Speaking to him weekly, I explained the reason why he was put down into the seconds. Rather than batting at eight or nine in the first team, it was giving him an opportunity to bat three or four for the second team and score runs.

“He has now put those scores on the board to warrant a place in the first team. It’s great that he has done that and having him as an off-spin bowler as well is an added bonus.

“He has done really well and hopefully that can continue. He is a very talented young all-rounder and it’s a case of giving him the chance to develop, appreciate men’s cricket and good quality cricket in this league.”

Lions, who are currently second from bottom, are set to take on a Havant outfit with four wins from 10 completed games this season.