CHERRIES “would love” to sign Jack Stephens on a permanent deal after his successful loan spell from Southampton, revealed technical director Richard Hughes.

With Premier League safety secured, big focus has shifted towards getting Cherries ready for their second season back in the top-flight, with the new campaign beginning on August 12.

One of 12 senior players Cherries signed following promotion out of the Championship was centre-back Stephens, who arrived in September on a season-long loan deal from neighbours Southampton, who went on to be relegated.

The long-serving Saints defender had fallen out of favour in Hampshire, but also struggled to make an early impact at his new club.

Stephens made just two late cameo substitute appearances in the league, before coming into the team and completing 90 minutes of a 3-0 win over Everton, in the final match before the World Cup break in November.

After another spell out of the side after the restart, Stephens established himself in the team, the 29-year-old playing the full part of 11 successive Premier League matches, five ending in victory.

Stephens was then ineligible to face his parent club and has not featured since, leaving his tally of Cherries appearances at 19, with a trip to Everton to round off his temporary spell with the club on Sunday.

Asked what the thoughts were regarding Stephens’s future, Cherries technical director and former Portsmouth midfielder Hughes told BBC Radio Solent: “To get him on a loan in the closing days of the summer window was an unbelievable signing for us.

“Behind the scenes at the beginning, really had to be patient, bide his time and an experienced player who has played so many games at Premier League level could easily not have had the patience that he’s had.

“But that put him in the perfect place for him to come in and put in the performances that he did.

“The Everton game here just before the (World Cup) break, which pretty much cemented his place for the rest of the season onwards.

“He was unlucky of course not to be eligible to play against Southampton and the team did well and he hasn’t figured since. But easily one of the best signings that we made, including both windows.

“A conversation most definitely we would like to have. Of course, he goes back to his parent club. Unlike Matias (Vina), there is no option (to buy) for us, so Southampton are the masters of what will happen there.

“Jack will have his opinion and decide when the right time is to talk to Southampton as well. We will wait for those conversations to take place.

“If it’s the right thing for all three parties, then it’s fair to say we would love to have him back here next season.”