DEFENDER Chris Mepham insisted Cherries would “only get better” when they welcomed back key personnel and added: “We’ve still got loads to improve.”

The centre-half was thrust into first-team action for the Dorset club in Friday’s pulsating 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion, having missed pre-season fixtures after coming back late due to his involvement at Euro 2020.

Mepham was one of the more senior figures in a youthful Cherries outfit, the squad as a whole included 11 academy graduates.

Cherries were missing eight senior players in total, due to injury, illness and suspension respectively.

And while praising the impact made by the club’s youngsters, Mepham insisted added depth to Cherries’ squad would be a huge boost.

Asked about having first-team stars to come back into the squad, the 23-year-old said: “I think that’s why we can take so many positives.

“As a team we’ll only get better. The squad will seem like it’s getting thicker and the bench will be stronger.

“It’s credit to the young lads, they’ve gone away to Marbella, they’ve showed themselves, they’ve showed their ability and deservedly they’re getting into the squad.

“You see people like Jaidon (Anthony), Gav (Kilkenny) was excellent. It’s credit to them and the way they applied themselves day in, day out.

He added: “I think it’s important for the so-called older lads in the team, albeit not that old.

“The likes of myself, Lloydy (Kelly), Phil (Billing), Dom (Solanke), to try and help the really young lads coming through.

“I remember when I first came in, it’s difficult. It’s new and different to academy football. So I think it’s important, even though we’re a young team, that we get the voices and we can sort of kick on.”

Emiliano Marcondes and Billing were on target against Valerien Ismael’s Baggies as Cherries kicked off their league schedule with a point.

Asked whether he felt a draw was the right result, Mepham replied: “Yeah, I think there were a lot of positives to take.

“Obviously a fairly inexperienced team and we’re coming up against a team which has just been relegated.

“They’ve got a lot of big names, a lot of physically big players. So I thought we matched them. I think we were up for the fight and unfortunately we couldn’t hold on to the win.

“Obviously frustrated with the goals, but I think they’re definitely one of the better teams we’ll play against this year and we’ve still got loads to improve.

“We’ll hit the training ground on Monday and look back on the game and definitely look to improve.”

Cherries make the trip to Nottingham Forest in their first away Championship clash on Saturday (3pm).