CHERRIES' new recruit Jo Tessem is vowing to take nothing for granted as he prepares to step into uncharted territory.

The 35-year-old could be given his first taste of League One action when Cherries meet fellow strugglers Cheltenham on Saturday.

Tessem this week agreed a one-month contract at Dean Court, although provision has been made for the deal to be extended until the end of the season.

His arrival has handed Kevin Bond's threadbare squad a much-needed boost while his wealth of experience could prove vital in the heat of Cherries' relegation battle.

Capped nine times by Norway, Tessem made more than 100 top-flight appearances for Southampton and has spent the past two years plying his trade with Lyn Oslo in the Norwegian Premier League.

He told the Daily Echo: "I don't really know what to expect because I have never played in League One before and I haven't seen many games at that level.

"The Norwegian Premier League is probably equivalent to the Championship in England but it's always difficult to step down. You can't just think you are going to be able to dominate play because it doesn't work like that.

"It didn't happen that way when I went from the English Premier League to the Norwegian top flight and I'm certainly not expecting it to be any different in League One.

"I've been training with Bournemouth for a few weeks but I haven't played a competitive match since the start of November.

"I hope my fitness with the ball is at the level that it should be and I think the running and pace of the game should be quite similar to what I'm used to. The biggest difference is probably going to be what you do with the ball and quick thinking and hopefully I've got those attributes as an older player."

Tessem linked up with Cherries last month after returning to the Southampton area following the end of the Norwegian season.

He added: "There are some very good players here, it's just that they don't have too many bodies at the moment!

"It's a very young squad and although I haven't seen many games from League One, my experience of being around younger players is that they can tend to get battered when they play against older players and maybe that has been the problem for them here.

"I know the league position isn't good and I know the state of the club isn't good so one thing follows the other. I came here to keep fit and to enjoy myself. Kevin let me train with Bournemouth and I've enjoyed it. I've always been competitive and I like doing things properly. I don't like to joke around because if you do that then you won't enjoy it.

"Hopefully, I can help the players, the team and Kevin and they can do the same for me by keeping me playing and enjoying myself."