BOSS Scott Parker revealed he has not yet named his captain at Cherries for the upcoming campaign and insisted: “It’s something which I will look into.”

The Dorset club have been without last season’s skipper in Steve Cook due to a knee injury and are set to again be without the influential defender for Saturday’s Carabao Cup contest with MK Dons.

In Cook’s absence, Lloyd Kelly has captained the side during pre-season clashes against Real Balompedica Linense and Granada in Spain.

Former Bristol City man Kelly also skippered Cherries in Tuesday’s 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Chelsea at Vitality Stadium.

Asked by the Daily Echo whether he had named his captain and vice-captain for the season, Parker replied: “Not at the moment.

“I have not done that – it’s something which I will look into and make a decision on nearer the start of the season.”

And while he stressed a decision has not been made regarding the permanent captaincy, Parker could not help but be impressed by the mindset of 22-year-old Kelly.

Quizzed on Kelly as a leader, the head coach replied: “I have been really impressed with him. He leads by his actions in the way he goes about it.

“He can definitely improve and grow into that role.

“From the other side I see a young man here who has huge ability and huge quality and definitely areas - he’s one whose definitely very open minded in terms of he wants to improve and get better – hence why I want to give him that responsibility.

“He’s shown he deserves that as well to be honest with you, so it’s certainly an area he needs to grow into as well.

“But I have been nothing but impressed with Lloyd to be honest with you, he’s been first-class and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

Cherries’ first Championship encounter comes at home against West Bromwich Albion on Friday, August 6.