BOSS Scott Parker was “very pleased” to have Jefferson Lerma back in the side, as the Colombian returned to action after serving a four-match suspension.

Lerma featured for the first time in over a month in the 2-0 win over Derby, with Cherries victorious thanks to goals from Dominic Solanke and Jamal Lowe.

He had been handed an extended ban for his red card in the 3-1 victory over Birmingham at the start of February.

So far this season, the former Levante man has missed 13 games due to suspensions accrued both this campaign and the preceding season.

In the 23 league fixtures the combative midfielder has managed to play for Cherries this season, he has ended up on the winning side 15 times – a win percentage of 65 per cent.

When Lerma is not in the side, Cherries have only four out of 11 fixtures, with the win percentage dropping to 36 per cent.

It is a statistic Lerma’s head coach is well aware of, with Parker stating: “Jeff has missed a lot of football this year and I think you look at when he’s been involved in games, we’ve normally been on the right side of results.

“I don’t think that’s by luck by any means.

“He’s a massive player for us and again today, he’s been out for a long time due to the calling off of games as well.

“But he’s a driving force really at times, gives us that extra bit of security as well, both sides of the game.

“First half, without the ball he was very good, we know that.

“But certainly with the ball as well, that position he played today, he was always a constant threat in between full-back and centre-half and a lot of problems came down his side, in terms of what we were causing them.

“So very pleased to have him back.”

Lerma looks likely to start again when Reading visit on Tuesday evening, with Parker’s central-midfield options limited again by suspension. Philip Billing will serve the final game of a two-match ban against the Royals.