BOSS Scott Parker admitted Cherries were a “weaker team” than they finished last season with and insisted “we are going to need some help” in getting new players through the door.

The Dorset club saw loanees Todd Cantwell, Freddie Woodman, Nat Phillips, Leif Davis and Ethan Laird return to their parent clubs at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Gary Cahill and Robbie Brady left following the expiration of their contracts, while Gavin Kilkenny has been sent out on loan to Stoke City.

Parker has seen Joe Rothwell and Ryan Fredericks arrive as the club’s only two summer signings on free transfers – the latter missed today’s 1-0 defeat to Bristol City through injury.

Speaking post-match, Parker said: “We lost eight players at the end of last season and we brought in two.

“You’d say that, at this moment in time, we are a weaker squad and a weaker team than what we were at the back end of last season.

“They are the challenges we face in terms of trying to get some help in to support the current team and current players - for the next level of what we are going to – which is the Premier League.

“We have had a good pre-season in terms of hard work and the work we have put into the team, trying some different things.

“We are engaged in that, so there has been that element of course.

“Obviously, in terms of where currently are, I think it’s clear we are going to need some help in that sense (bringing in players).”

The Daily Echo understands a bid had recently been lodged by the Dorset outfit for Middlesbrough midfielder Marcus Tavernier.

Asked whether he was confident there would be new additions, the Cherries boss replied: “There’s nothing at this present moment in time that makes me feel that is going to happen – at this moment in time.

“At this moment, my focus is with the team and trying to help the players and develop the players and try to get us to a point where we can at least be competitive at the start of the season.

“I think there will be new additions but at this moment in time – if you ask me the question, ‘is anything imminent or close?’ Then it doesn’t feel like that at this moment.

“But, of course, we are active, we are trying to be active under tough circumstances which we have.”

Cherries face Real Sociedad in their final friendly next Saturday, before a home game against Aston Villa on August 6 to start their Premier League campaign.