SCOTT Parker believes Cherries’ training camp in Portugal has left his side in a “decent place” fitness-wise, despite a last-gasp defeat to Braga on Tuesday evening.

Dominic Solanke’s quickfire opener was almost immediately cancelled out by the Europa League outfit via Andre Castro, before a young Cherries XI in the second-half could not keep out Rodrigo Gomes in injury time.

Cherries played in two training matches whilst in Iberia, seeing off League One Sheffield Wednesday on Friday by the same score line they lost to Braga by, 2-1.

Whilst the UK is currently gripped by a heatwave, seeing highs of 30C in Bournemouth, temperatures in Braga on Tuesday hovered around the 20C mark, with kick-off scheduled at 6.30pm to account for the heat.

Parker stated that Cherries have began to ramp up the amount of minutes played by first-teamers, with Cherries keeping the same XI until the 70 minute mark.

Speaking to afcb.co.uk, Parker began: “It was difficult condition wise, kick-off was a little bit later tonight, which helped, because obviously the weather.

“I’m happy. We worked really hard in this trip, and the players have got minutes, some players have now gone up to 70 minutes as well, which was really helpful and planned.

“As always in pre-season, when you’re pushing, there’s always chances of injuries, and at this present moment in time we looked to have stayed clear of anything regarding that, other than a couple of niggles.

“Overall we’re in a decent place.”

Cherries return to England tomorrow, ahead of their first home pre-season game against Bristol City on Saturday.