DEFENDER Adam Smith insists he is “not scared” to take on more responsibility at Cherries following the summer departures of Simon Francis and Andrew Surman.

The club’s captain and vice-captain officially left their respective lengthy stints at Vitality Stadium last month, following the expiry of their contracts.

Cherries are yet to name a new skipper ahead of the 2020-21 Championship campaign under new boss Jason Tindall, with Steve Cook, Smith and Dan Gosling sharing the responsibility during pre-season friendlies against Benfica and West Ham.

Smith led Cherries out at London Stadium on Saturday, captaining and scoring for the side in the 5-3 victory.

Asked how he feels about the added responsibility within the squad, the 29-year-old told the Daily Echo: “I’ve just got to lead by example in training every day and in games. I’m not scared of it, it’s something you come into now when you get older and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m one of the older players now so I’ve got to take more responsibility on the pitch and help the younger lads out.

“When I first came to the club, Franno and Surs did that with me. I just feel like I’ve got more responsibility now, with me, Gos and Cookie to help the young lads out.

“We’ve obviously been there and done that in the Championship a few years back, so we know what it takes. We’ve just got to be more leaders in the changing room now and just kind of take over from Franno and Surs.”

Just 48 days after relegation from the Premier League was confirmed against Everton on July 26, Cherries will be back in league action when they host Blackburn Rovers in the second tier on Saturday (3pm).

Discussing the mood around the club having slipped out of the top flight, Smith said: “Obviously after the disappointment of relegation, it’s important to come back and get a good feeling in the club. It seems a good group of lads now and we’re looking forward to the season ahead and it was a good, positive result on Saturday (at West Ham), and that is only going to help.

“It was obviously disappointing last season. There’s a few players that have left – Surs and Franno – and it’s a different feel in the changing room now.

“But we’ve got good young players and now I think it’s a different era, so obviously we need to go and make history with this young squad and get back to the Premier League.”