SCOTT Parker insists there is room for both new recruit Gary Cahill and club stalwart Steve Cook in his squad this season.

Cahill trained for the first time with his new Cherries team-mates today, bolstering the club's defensive ranks.

The 35-year-old is now one of five centre-backs in the first-team squad, alongside Chris Mepham, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Lloyd Kelly and the currently injured Cook.

Cook has not played for Cherries this season due to a knee problem, but is closing in on a return to action, taking part in some team training sessions.

The 30-year-old, who captained Cherries last season, is understood to have just entered the final year of his contract and was linked with a move to Celtic earlier this summer.

Asked if Cahill's arrival impact's the future of Cook, who has been at the club for almost a decade, boss Parker said: "Not really, not in my eyes.

"It’s another character and another personality which we need. I think we’re short on that.

"That’s definitely an area where we are a young side and we are short in terms of leadership, character, setting a culture and helping me.

"When you’re a manager of a football club and staff, there’s elements of course you can drive and you can push and push and push.

"But along the way you need help from in the changing room as well. I’d like to think that Steve, Gary along with a few others, they can help drive that, exactly what we need to be successful."

Cherries are expected to name a young back-line again for tomorrow's contest against Blackpool at Vitality Stadium (3pm), with neither Cook nor Cahill deemed fit enough to feature.