CHERRIES defender Ryan Garry has vowed to play himself back into Kevin Bond's plans after making his long-awaited comeback yesterday.

Former Arsenal trainee Garry turned in an assured 90-minute performance for Cherries' reserves in their 2-1 Pontin's Holidays Combination win over Plymouth Argyle at Dean Court, as Eddie Howe's men gained revenge for last week's 4-0 mauling in the West Country.

The 24-year-old centre-half, who spent nearly four years on the treatment table at Highbury with shin problems, has been out of action for around six months after breaking his right leg against Northampton in September 2007.

But Garry, one of a number of Cherries stars out of contract in the summer, has declared his intentions after finally ending a nightmare start to life at Dean Court.

The accomplished defender told the Echo: "It's nice to be back and to get some game time. I feel okay, obviously a bit tired, but it's nice to get through 90 minutes.

"Whether I'm in contention or not for the next few games is down to the manager, but I am looking to get some games in and to work hard between now and the end of the season. Fingers-crossed, I'll get some first-team action.

"It's always hard watching when you are injured and there have been a few other injuries at the back, but I think the lads who have come in have done very well.

"So, I'll be working hard in training and hopefully I'll get a chance before the end of the season."

When asked if he expected to be handed a new contract in the summer, Garry said coyly: "There's a few players out of contract at the end of the season, but, more importantly, the club has to sort out what's going on upstairs away from the football before they start offering people new deals.

"To be honest, I'm not looking that far ahead. It's just nice to be playing again."

Brett Pitman's lucky first-half strike, where hapless Argyle keeper Lloyd Saxton parried the ball on to the Channel Islander's leg from Danny Reeve's cross, put Howe's charges in control at the break.

But a revitalised Argyle hit back just moments after the restart when the lively Damien McCory slotted home through Ryan Pryce's legs.

Substitute Jordan Rose stole the show, however, with a stunning 40-yard lob over Saxton 13 minutes from time to seal the points.

Boss Howe, who ran the rule over Norwich defender Matthew Halliday, Scunthorpe midfielder Alex Morfaw and young left-back Adam Smith, said: "I didn't think we were great today personally. They've done well in recent weeks, but today was a little dip, despite the result.

"There were some positives and obviously it's great to see Ryan Garry back and I thought the three subs that came on did really well.

"It was a difficult game for the three lads on trial and we'll keep monitoring their progress."

Cherries: Pryce; Reeve, Smith, Halliday, Garry; Partington, Finlay (Franks, h-t), Morfaw (Rose, 68), Davidson; Hutchings, Pitman (Wilson, 64). Unused subs: Newton, Queree.