BOSS Jason Tindall said it had been “great” to have Cherries legend Marc Pugh back training with his squad and added: “He’s an unbelievable professional and person.”

The Bacup-born winger is currently without a club and came on as a second-half substitute during the Dorset outfit’s 5-3 pre-season victory over West Ham on Saturday.

Legendary winger Pugh departed Vitality Stadium when his contract expired last summer, after nine years and 312 appearances at the club.

The Daily Echo understands the 33-year-old is still training with Cherries this week to keep up his sharpness, while he remains a free agent.

Asked what it had been like to have the winger back around the squad, manager Tindall said: “Pughy is a club legend.

“Not only is he a club legend – he’s an unbelievable professional and person.

“When you’ve got an opportunity to have someone like that coming in and train – and just be in the changing room – you want those people around, they are a great influence.

“To see Pughy every day is great because he is such a great character.”

Pugh made 31 appearances for Queen’s Park Rangers last season, before being released in June.

Asked whether there were conversations happening as to whether the winger could get a deal at Cherries, boss Tindall replied: “Pughy is without a club and when someone wants to come in, tick over and keep themselves fit, it’s something that I’m going to let happen.

“Whether that would be Andrew Surman, Simon Francis, Marc Pugh, any ex-players that gave the service to the club they have. They are welcome here any time.

“Pughy is here training. It’s great to have him here and I thought when he came on he was excellent, so that’s one that we will just keep monitoring and see what happens the next couple of weeks."