BOSS Kevin Bond believes emerging talent Jason Pearce is growing in stature and benefiting from a sustained run of games.

The versatile defender has gone from strength to strength after being pitching in to Cherries' relegation battle last month.

Pearce was given his chance due to an injury crisis and has responded by turning in a number of eye-catching displays in recent weeks.

The 20-year-old was signed from Portsmouth on a two-year contract on the eve of the season after impressing Bond during a brief trial spell.

Bond said: "He's a really wholehearted player. He's totally committed, he gives you everything and is a really good lad.

"I think he had a particularly good start to the season and then fell away a touch, which you would expect from somebody of his age who is lacking in experience.

"He's a confidence player. He needs to feel good about himself and be confident. If things don't quite go his way or he makes a mistake then I think it can affect him.

"We've seen the best of him when he feels good about himself. He's done well in the past couple of games and I thought he competed well for us against Yeovil."