SHAUN Cooper last night moved to defend himself after being labelled a training ground no-show by Cherries boss Paul Groves.

In an interview with the BBC published yesterday, Groves claimed Cooper had failed to turn up for Monday’s opening pre-season session.

The 28-year-old had been pondering the offer of a new one-year contract from the club during the summer, but claims he informed Groves on Sunday that he would not be signing the deal.

Cooper’s previous deal expired on Saturday, bringing to an end the Isle of Wight-born utility man’s seven-year stay at Dean Court.

Speaking exclusively to the Echo, Cooper said: “I spoke to Paul for 20 or 25 minutes on Sunday night and explained my reasons for not accepting the offer, so he knew I was not going to sign.

“For him to come out and say that I failed to show for training was surprising and disappointing.

“I explained to Paul that I felt the one-year offer wasn’t good enough, but the club wasn’t prepared to budge so I turned it down.

“He knew full well that I wouldn’t be in on Monday as I am no longer an AFC Bournemouth player.”

In the interview with the BBC, however, Groves said: “Shaun hasn’t turned up and Shaun is out of contract. At this moment in time we haven’t come to an agreement and I think that is proving to be difficult.”

Cooper made more than 200 appearances for Cherries since signing from Portsmouth in 2005 and was part of the promotion-winning 2010 squad under former boss Eddie Howe.

He added: “It’s disappointing because I didn’t want to leave and the club knew I didn’t want to leave, but I felt I deserved two years.

“I am weighing up my options elsewhere with a couple of two-year offers, so I have a decision to make in the next few days.”

League One new boys Crawley Town are understood to be leading the chase for Cooper.