CHERRIES boss Kevin Bond is hoping to tie up a season-long loan deal for highly-rated Portsmouth defender Joel Ward.

The 18-year-old trained with Bond's squad last month and also appeared in Cherries' friendlies against Bristol City, Dorchester and Eastleigh.

Ward, who hails from Emsworth, returned from a lengthy injury lay-off last season to earn his first pro contract at Fratton Park.

And Bond is keen to secure the teenager's services ahead of the new season to add much-needed cover to Cherries' defensive ranks.

Bond told the Daily Echo: "I'm looking to take Joel on a long-term loan. I think he showed a great deal of promise while he was here and it's an area where we are very light."

Ward's Pompey team-mate Matt Ritchie, who also spent time with Cherries last month, is understood to be pursuing other options.

However, Bond is still keen on bringing ex-Pompey, Southend and Oxford midfielder Carl Pettefer to Dean Court.

The 26-year-old joined Cherries for the start of pre-season and has again linked up with Bond's squad in training at Canford School this week.

Bond said: "Carl is a great pro and did very well at Southend. He can play anywhere across the middle of the park, is as honest as the day is long and will run tirelessly for you.

"I would really like to find room for him if I could. I think he would be very handy and I would hope to establish whether or not we can take him in the next few days."

Bond says he is also still actively searching for additional firepower, with Jo Kuffour and Brett Pitman his only two recognised strikers.

"Finding a striker to sign who is surplus to requirements at his club or without a club is unlikely so that may be a loan situation," said Bond.

"But we're still exploring every possibility and it's a work-in-progress situation to see if we can unearth somebody."

Although Chester's Paul Rutherford and Sheffield United's Nicky Travis have returned to their respective clubs, Bond says he will continue to monitor the pair.

Rutherford and Travis, who both featured in friendlies against Dorchester and Eastleigh, still have a year remaining on their existing contracts.

Bond is unlikely to pursue his interest in MK Dons trialist Craig Dobson, who lined up against Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday.