STEVE Fletcher is promising to put his “heart and soul” into any future Cherries role as he decides which path to follow after he retires.

Manager Paul Groves, appointed earlier this month, has confirmed that Fletcher will remain part of his squad next season in what the 39-year-old Teessider admits could be his final campaign.

Cherries legend Fletcher believes the next 12 months will be pivotal – both on and off the pitch – as he prolongs his distinguished playing career while also assessing what he wants to do once he has hung up his boots.

The club’s record appearance-maker would love to continue his association with Cherries and will consider his options during the season – with ambassadorial and coaching roles both possibilities.

Assistant to former manager Lee Bradbury before stepping down, Fletcher revealed he had been given the green light to help Groves and Shaun Brooks and admitted he was interested in boosting his coaching experience.

He told the Daily Echo: “I am probably going to be learning this year which avenue I want to go down later on in my career.

“I will do the rest of my coaching badges and will try to do more than that. Paul and Shaun have said I can help a little bit with the coaching and go down to the centre of excellence.

“I will still keep my foot in the door in that department because I loved the 10 months I was involved and it has given me a massive appetite to still want to do that.

“I love this club – I always will – and whatever I can do to help, on or off the field, I will give it my heart and soul.

“It will be a big year for me – on and off the pitch – to see which direction my career in the foreseeable future will take me.

“I spoke to Paul and Shaun and they gave me their views on it and mine were very similar. It was nice to hear that.”

One area Fletcher is keen to become involved in is mentoring the club’s strikers.

He added: “I said to Paul that it would be great if I was allowed to take the strikers and talk to them about what the manager wants from them.

“If I can pass on any type of information to the young strikers, it can only be good for them and it gives me a sense of satisfaction as well when I see them do something that I might have taught them.

“I can definitely see me doing that and it would be with Paul and Shaun’s blessing.”

• The Echo on Thursday asked the Cherries press office for an interview with boss Paul Groves, which was granted for yesterday. However, despite being told Groves would contact our reporter, this had not happened as the Echo went to press last night.

We were also unable to contact Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell for an update on transfer speculation involving defender Scott Malone.