MANAGER Jason Tindall described as an “incredible lad” Cherries star Jefferson Lerma and added: “He loves being here.”

The combative midfielder has been a driving force behind the Dorset club’s unbeaten start to the Championship season.

His dazzling form has earned him a call-up to the Colombia squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela.

Lerma, a £25million signing from Levante in August 2018, had been linked with a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray over the summer, according to reports in Fanatik.

But having made a sublime start to the Championship schedule, Tindall insists Lerma’s performances show how much he cares about Cherries.

The manager told the Daily Echo: “Jeff's an incredible lad, a great character to have around, very professional and will never give anything less than 100 per cent.

“You've seen that so far in the performances he's delivered. So I'm delighted with him.

“He loves the club, he loves being here, he's been great with me since I've been manager and I'm sure if he continues playing the way he does for the remainder of the season, he'll have a very, very good season.”

Lerma has already scored in games against Blackburn Rovers and Coventry from a more advanced role – the two-goal haul already eclipsing his solitary strike against Chelsea during the previous campaign.

“I think he's adapted to the new position well, Jeff,” said Tindall.

“Bumping him up one and allowing him to get in the box, he's a good finisher and he arrives at the right time.

“I'm delighted that he's got his second goal so far this season.”