BOSS Eddie Howe singled out new recruit Mitchell Nelson for special praise following last night’s pre-season friendly victory over Poole Town.

Nelson, a summer signing from Tooting and Mitcham, has experienced fluctuating fortunes in Cherries’ opening three warm-up games.

The 20-year-old had a tough debut against Spurs when his confidence appeared to take a knock after he had been partly culpable for the first of Roman Pavlyuchenko’s two goals.

However, the defender responded in positive fashion and followed up with an impressive display against Hamworthy Recreation before facing the Dolphins at Tatnam.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “People have to remember how big a step he has made. In the space of no time at all, he has gone from playing for Tooting to playing against Tottenham. It’s a massive step. He was excellent against Hamworthy and I was really pleased with him.

“We have worked hard since Saturday on a number of things and he has really taken the information on board. That’s all you can ask.

“There is a lot of scope with him and he has got all the attributes. We just need to continue to work at the rough edges of his game but I think he is going to be a real talent.

“We brought in a couple of players to develop them and make them better. Nobody we bring in is the finished article because we can’t pay ridiculous fees. That’s how it’s going to be.

“We love working on the training pitch and he is a great lad and a joy to work with so that will do for me. He has got everything he needs. We need to be patient with him and give him time to develop and to get better.”

Howe fielded a mix of experience and youth against the Wessex League champions with youngsters Dan Strugnell, Paddy Hester, Harry Bell and Alex Parsons all impressing during the second half.

A touch of class from Brett Pitman in the 55th minute saw the striker bag the only goal of the game, while Dan Cann for Poole and Michael Symes for Cherries both hit the woodwork.

Howe added: “It was a bit scrappy and I thought we were much better against Hamworthy. It was a good work-out but we can do better.

“A few of the players were a little tired from the previous night and we made a few changes. It was good to see a lot of the young lads come in and do well so that was really pleasing.”

Howe expects Steve Fletcher to be sidelined for “a period of time” with a heel injury.

Cherries first half: Thomas, Nelson, Stephenson, Strugnell, Purches, Partington, McQuoid, Bartley, Feeney, Symes, Pitman.

Second half: Thomas, Nelson, Strugnell, Stephenson, Bell, Partington (Tindall), Bartley (Pearce), Feeney (Ings), McQuoid (Hester), Pitman (Parsons), Stockley.

Poole: Jones, Poore, Dibba, Walker, Miles, Gill, Hubbard, Richardson, Preston, Cann, Cook.