MICHAEL Standing says he is desperate to help Cherries secure their League One status after suffering the "nightmare" of relegation last year.

Standing yesterday penned a deal for the rest of the season on non-contract terms and goes straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to Northampton.

And the 25-year-old midfielder is keen to play his part in helping Cherries beat the drop after falling through the trapdoor with Walsall 10 months ago.

Standing, who won England youth honours during his time as a trainee at Aston Villa, made 25 appearances at the start of the Saddlers' ill-fated campaign.

He told the Daily Echo Thursday night: "Last season was a disaster. We were among the favourites to go up and I was captaining the side.

"But it was a nightmare for me personally and for the club. I missed a lot of the season through injury and we ended up getting relegated.

"It was a horrible feeling and I don't ever want to go through it again. It hits everybody and it was frustrating for me because I couldn't do my bit to help.

"That's gone now and hopefully I can make a difference here and do my bit to help keep Bournemouth up, which would be good for everybody."

Despite having a year left on his contract, Standing left Bescot Stadium by mutual consent last summer and has had trial spells with Chesterfield and QPR this season.

He started training with Cherries around three weeks ago and says he is determined to make up for lost time after being given a chance by Kevin Bond.

Standing added: "The club and the manager are renowned for playing good football and that suits me. I'm excited to be here and looking forward to getting started..

"I want to get into the team and try to help Bournemouth stay up, which I'm sure we will."

Standing has been drafted in to help ease a crippling midfield crisis. Marcus Browning (calf) and Darren Anderton (virus) are both out of Cherries' trip to Sixfields, while Bjarni Vidarsson has returned to Everton.