OPTIMISTIC Marvin Bartley is focusing on forcing his way into Kevin Bond's plans after being given the all-clear to resume full training.

The rookie midfielder, who is yet to make his competitive Cherries debut after an injury-plagued start to his professional career, got the nod from a specialist on Monday after recovering from surgery.

And, having kicked a ball for the first time on Friday, the former non-league star is aiming to step things up later this week.

"I did my first hard training session yesterday with Steve Hard (physio) and hopefully I'll be back in full training by Friday or Monday," Bartley told the Daily Echo.

"I went in and out of poles changing direction to make sure my groin could take it. I struck a ball and did some short, sharp sprints - basically everything - and I feel absolutely fine.

"I should be back in full training on Friday or Monday at the latest."

As he edges closer to full fitness, Bartley, a summer signing from Hampton and Richmond, will be aiming to force his way into a Cherries central midfield berth.

He said: "I'm definitely looking forward to it (full training). It's been a long time coming and I want to fight for a place in the team."

Bartley stepped up his training regime on Friday when he started kicking a ball for the first time since his injury problems.

"It was good - even though it was just a few volleys - to touch a ball. It had been eight weeks since I'd kicked a ball," he said.

The 21-year-old went under the knife to cure Gilmore's Groin, an injury common in footballers and named after Jerry Gilmore, who originally recognised the injury in 1980 and developed a surgical repair technique.

The problem had occurred after Bartley's fledgling Cherries career had already been hit by a badly bruised wrist suffered in a pre-season friendly against Portsmouth, with the youngster only having played a handful of games.

Bartley was quick to praise the help he has received from club physio Hard, who he joked was "probably getting bored" of working with him now.

He added: "Steve has been brilliant, I couldn't ask for more.

"He got everything spot on and without him I'd probably be a lot further away."

Meanwhile, Bond expects loan star Adam Lallana to feature in training tomorrow.

The Southampton youngster missed training on Monday after he picked up an ankle knock in the draw against Walsall.

Defender Neil Young, who was an unused sub at the weekend, also sat out Monday's session after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.