YOUNG defender Max Kinsey came in for praise from Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola, who labelled the centre-half as “quite mature for his age”.

A centre-back for Cherries’ development squad, Kinsey has been named in a few matchday squads this campaign without making his first-team debut.

Formerly with Southampton’s academy, Kinsey became a Cherry in the summer of 2021 and has gone on to become a central figure of Alan Connell’s development squad.

Read next - Iraola: Cherries not yet in a position where they can give youngsters minutes

Kinsey has received senior experience with loan spells at Southern League Division One South side Wimborne Town and Southern Premier League South outfit Gosport Borough.

The 19-year-old frequently trains with Iraola’s first team, with his performances in training catching Iraola’s eye.

Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I think he's quite mature for his age.

“Because he's really, really young and he has been training with us for a long time.

“He trains in a very good level. He has confidence also in himself.

“You see that he wants the ball, he doesn't lose it easy.

“He has a good personality. Obviously he's still very young and he has to learn a lot of things and he knows he has to improve.

“But he's doing really well.”