CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil expects to have Kieffer Moore involved again next season, sharing how he felt the Welsh international had a “decent goal return” from his maiden Premier League campaign.

Starting his career off at 14th tier Paignton Rovers and playing in non-league as recently as 2017, Moore made his top-flight debut two days shy of his 30th birthday, scoring in Cherries’ opening day win over Aston Villa in August.

A deadline day signing in January 2022, Moore’s early career at the Vitality was impacted by a broken foot, the Welshman rushing back to make some key interventions off the bench in the final throes of Cherries’ promotion push from the Championship.

Two goals sparked a three-goal comeback in a 3-3 draw at Swansea, before a week later Moore fired home the goal that sealed a return to the Premier League against Nottingham Forest.

Despite largely playing second fiddle to talismanic striker Dominic Solanke, Moore made 27 appearances in the league, scoring four times.

Asked about Moore’s first year in the Premier League, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think it's an interesting point, because people would probably look at it and may be a little bit disappointed for Kieffer.

“He's maybe not played as much as he would like, but first Premier League season, really sort of first season with the club - obviously came in late last year and suffered injuries.

“Made it back to make some sub appearances towards the end, but this was his first real go as a starter.

“He played some games, scored some important goals.”

O’Neil then went on to describe the forward’s best qualities, believing that the Wales international could – and should – improve his goal output next campaign.

“I think he has a real good knack of getting chances,” continued O’Neil.

“I think his movement is very good.

“His goals tally could definitely have been higher this year with some of the chances that he's managed to get himself.

“Even (against Manchester United) the movement, very good for sort of running in behind.

“He's had some real good headed chances.

“Decent goal return for the amount of minutes he's played and real good amount of chances that he's managed to get himself from good movement.

“We need to do some work with him, of course.

“Can we convert more of them?

“Because his goals tally should probably be higher than it is with the chances that he's managed to get himself.”

Cherries’ head coach then insisted Moore remained apart of his thinking for next season, explaining: “As to next season, I expect him to be here and I expect him to be part of it when we come back for pre-season.”