BOSS Andoni Iraola has explained the leadership hierarchy at Cherries, confirming that Adam Smith is vice-captain to skipper Neto.

Beyond the pair, there is no defined pecking order, with the Basque head coach sharing that the captaincy is decided on a “game to game” basis when Neto and Smith are not selected.

As Smith is not a guaranteed name in the starting XI, and with goalkeeper Neto currently sidelined with an ankle issue, Iraola has had to name Lloyd Kelly as captain for the previous two Premier League games, a victory over Burnley and defeat away at Manchester City.

Kelly was previously club captain under Scott Parker, and briefly Gary O’Neil, before the former head coach installed Neto as captain.

The only other captain this season was David Brooks, who donned the armband away in Wales when Cherries visited Swansea City in the second round of the EFL Cup.

Asked about the hierarchy when it came to captains, Iraola explained to the Daily Echo: “We established Neto and Adam Smith as the two captains now, and then we go taking decisions from game to game when the case - I think it's been (two) Premier League games and one Carabao Cup game -  where they haven't started.

“The other day I think Lloydy (Lloyd Kelly), he was performing very well.

“It's also someone that has been here long enough, that he’s someone who can push his teammates and he's doing really well on the pitch.

“So I think it was also a good thing everyone.”

Cherries are in action this weekend, when they host Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium (5.30pm).