CHERRIES star Shaun Cooper is desperate to stand tall in the land of the giants as he looks to cement a place in Kevin Bond's plans.

The 24-year-old is keen to shake off his utility man tag and establish himself as a permanent fixture at the heart of the Cherries defence.

Cooper has already displayed his invaluable versatility to the cause by lining up in four different positions this season - both in midfield and at the back.

But despite his lack of height for the role of central defender, the cultured playmaker believes he adapts his game to cope with the demands of the job.

Cooper, who stands 5ft 10ins tall, told the Daily Echo: "I don't mind where I play as long as I'm in the team but I prefer playing at centre-half.

"I know most of them are six-foot plus but I don't think height is the be-all and end-all of being a central defender.

"I like it because you can see the whole pitch, you can read the game and see how things are going to develop. Also, you can talk to everyone around you and help organise things. I feel comfortable on the ball at the back and feel as though I can pass to anybody on the pitch.

"I know I might not win all my headers up against a big striker, but you could say the same for any defender, irrespective of their height.

"An aerial presence is important but if you can read the game, you should be able to anticipate and be in the right position to stop situations before they become dangerous."

Cooper enjoyed his best run of form after being asked to deputise at centre-back by former boss Sean O'Driscoll during the second-half of the 2005-06 campaign.

And the ex-Portsmouth trainee has again starred at the back this season, with assured displays against Bristol Rovers and Walsall evincing Cooper's worth.

"I filled in at centre-half a couple of times for the reserves at Portsmouth but didn't play there regularly until I came here in my first season under Sean," said Cooper.

"The more you play there, the more confident you get. The little things are coming back to me and I'm just starting to get back into it having played there a couple of times.

"I've played a few different positions due to the injuries. It's difficult moving from right midfield to centre-half but I don't mind doing it because I hate not playing."

Cooper will be hoping to shake off a thigh strain and keep his place when Cherries return to the Memorial Stadium to face League One rivals Bristol Rovers tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

"They are a decent team, they work hard and are well organised," said Cooper. "But we beat them at their place in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last month so that should give us a boost.

"Like us, they have been struggling for points recently and maybe their confidence will be low at home. If that's the case, we've got to look to take full advantage.

"I know we're bottom of the league but the lads believe in each other and we will go there full of confidence after a good performance against Walsall last week."