DAVID Dunn intends to give former Leeds Carnegie academy player Simon Lilley every opportunity to command a Bournemouth first-team place.

The winger, who left the Premiership outfit and lined up for Loughborough Students last season, joined Lions from Sherborne earlier this term.

But the Dorset & Wilts star’s appearances for the National League Three outfit have been severely restricted by his work commitments as a teacher at Sherborne School.

Lilley marked his Bourne-mouth debut as a second-half substitute by scoring a try in their runaway 89-0 home romp over Oakmeadians in the Twin Counties cup on November 5.

He hasn’t featured in any of Lions’ three league outings since then, though, but is back on the bench for their home clash against Bridgwater tomorrow (2pm).

Bournemouth coach Dunn said: “Simon’s appearances have been limited in the first half of the season because of his work commitments.

“But he can play more often now so has the chance to establish himself in our squad.

“He helped Dorset & Wilts win the County Championship Shield by beating Leicestershire at Twickenham in May and is a great addition to our group of players.

“It’s great to see second row Chris Hughes back in our side as well after fully recovering from a nasty shoulder injury which kept him out for a couple of weeks before Christmas.”

Lions, who have only played once in six weeks because of the cold snap, are aiming to complete a league double after holding off Bridgwater’s late surge to triumph 21-20 in Somerset in September.

Dunn, whose third-placed side are jostling for the title with Hartpury College and Old Patesians, said: “The game up there was a difficult one.

“Bridgwater came down from the league above with great expectations of going straight back up again and we were the first team to beat them.

“Since then they’ve slipped up several times away from home.”

Lions: Wareham, Tarrant, Manning, Forrest, Brooks, Hughes, Dunkerley, Hennings, Hardcastle, Chislett, Stewart, Bruce, Edwards, Yarwood, K Lynch. Subs: R Lynch, Ford, Lilley.