KEVIN Bond has revealed the mood among his Cherries players is positive a week on from the team's demoralising defeat at Brighton.

Boss Bond was furious following the agonising 3-2 loss at the Withdean Stadium on New Year's Day after his side twice fought back from behind, only to let the points slip deep into injury time by conceding what he labelled a "diabolical" goal.

But, with a six-pointer at Cheltenham Town looming on Saturday, Bond insisted his troops were upbeat.

"The players have been very good," the Cherries manager told the Daily Echo.

"They had a couple of days in the gym, which made a nice change, and the lads were in good spirits. It wasn't a problem.

"They had a couple of days off at the back end of the week - I gave them Saturday and Sunday off - and we trained again yesterday morning.

"Obviously the pitches are really difficult at the moment (because of heavy rain), but the lads are fine and everyone's looking forward to the game at the weekend."

Bond confirmed that a number of first-team professionals would be lining up in the reserve match against Forest Green Rovers at Dean Court this afternoon (2pm).

Among those expected to play are Russ Perrett, Josh Gowling, Shaun Cooper, Brett Pitman, Lee Bradbury, Neil Moss and Marvin Bartley.

If cleared in time, Yeovil Town's 19-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international Stephen Maher could also get the chance to impress Bond in the second string.