BOSS Scott Parker hailed the “aggression” shown by Chris Mepham to help Cherries see out crucial Championship contests.

The centre-back has made substitute appearances in four of the Dorset club’s past five league games, all of which have resulted in victories.

Mepham came off the bench to replace goalscorer Philip Billing in Saturday’s 2-1 home triumph over Sheffield United.

Speaking after that victory, Parker said: “Chris Mepham today has come on for 10 minutes and he’s come on for the last two or three games and I’m saying to him ‘you just need to see this game out for us, and you need to bring something to this game, which is aggression, win headers’.

“This is someone who has sat on the bench for 80 minutes and watched it.

“And instantly comes on the pitch and does exactly that. Aggressive, front-foot defending. Defended the box.”

Mepham has made 11 appearances in the Championship for Cherries this season, having also filled in at right-back during the early stages of the campaign.

The former Brentford man has been included in Rob Page’s Wales squad for games against Czech Republic and Estonia during this month’s international break.