DEFENDER Jack Stacey voiced his desire to give fans “something to smile about” when football eventually returns.

The Cherries full-back, currently in his debut Premier League campaign, has been hard at work on an exercise bike at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eddie Howe’s side have not kicked a ball competitively since March 7, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

But Stacey hopes the Dorset club can come back “even stronger” from the extended break in fixtures.

He told the club website: “The situation at the moment is crazy, it’s unprecedented, no-one’s quite sure what to do.

“I’m just trying to keep myself fit as much as possible, I’ve got an exercise bike at home and we’ve been given a programme for us all to follow.

“Hopefully for everyone’s sake, not just with the football, the situation in the world can be resolved as soon as possible, it needs to be dealt with as well as it possibly can.

“On the pitch we felt like our past five or six performances were really improved, so we just have to try and use this break to come back even fitter, even stronger and hopefully we can get back on the pitch soon and give the fans something to smile about.”

Former Reading youngster Stacey has played 12 times in the league this season, registering two top-flight assists.