ABLE deputy Gareth Stewart says he is "ready and willing" to return to the front-line of Cherries' relegation battle - if called upon by boss Kevin Bond.

Stewart is in the frame to deputise for injury victim Neil Moss when Cherries visit Hartlepool in a Sky Sports-televised League One showdown on Sunday.

The 27-year-old is set to come in out of the cold and make his first start of the season at Victoria Park with Moss ruled out after having stitches to a facial wound.

And despite being frozen out following the arrival of Asmir Begovic in August, Stewart insists he is fully committed to help Bond turn the tide for Cherries.

Stewart had been restricted to just four appearances for the reserves before he came on to replace Moss on the stroke of half-time against MK Dons on Tuesday.

He told the Daily Echo: "In all the years that I've been here, there has never been a time when I haven't been ready to play or haven't wanted to play.

"I have never wanted to be out of the squad or out of the team. I've always been available and my attitude has always been right. If I'm called upon again, I'll be as ready as anybody.

"I was ready on Tuesday and would like to think that nobody thought I was rusty in my first competitive game for the first team since the end of last season.

"The circumstances of me coming on were disappointing and everybody wishes Mossy a speedy recovery because nobody wants to see a fellow professional get hurt.

"It was a difficult game for us by the time I came on. We were 2-0 down and they weren't looking to get at us. I had to make sure I kept my concentration in case we got back into it but we just couldn't get a goal.

"It was bitter-sweet for me. It was nice to be involved again but ultimately, we're all associated with the struggle we're having at the moment and everybody was desperate to win.

"Everybody wants to play and everybody wants to be successful as well so hopefully we can turn the corner and start to pick up a few wins."

Previewing Cherries' trip to the North East, Stewart added: "We know we've got to start picking up some wins and feel we've got the players to do it.

"We've got a good mix of young lads with lots of energy and some very experienced players so it's not as if we haven't got the personnel to get some positive results under the pressure we're under.

"If I do step back in then it's not as if you've got an inexperienced goalkeeper coming in. I know the game, I've played plenty of times and been in this situation before.

"We should go there in confident mood and I certainly will if called upon and hopefully that will show in the way we go about our business."

Discussing Cherries' goalkeeping situation, boss Bond said: "It has been well documented that I had reservations with regards to Gareth in terms of the confidence I had in him.

"Throughout this season, his commitment has always been to the club when he hasn't been included. He's been exemplary in terms of his professionalism. Nothing has changed and we've never had a cross word.

"He's got his opportunity and I have absolutely no problem with that and no problem with him, as I know he hasn't with me. He will relish the opportunity to get back between the sticks on Sunday."