ASSISTANT boss Steve Fletcher has warned Cherries’ coveted stars to think carefully before they consider pursuing their careers at a higher level.

Several members of Lee Bradbury’s squad put themselves in the shop window as Cherries punched above their weight in League One last season.

And after failing to win a place in the Championship despite their play-off heroics, some could be tempted to seek pastures new over the summer.

Midfielder Danny Hollands has already upped sticks to Charlton, while the likes of Shwan Jalal, Jason Pearce, Rhoys Wiggins, Anton Robinson, Liam Feeney, Marc Pugh and Danny Ings seem sure to court interest.

And even though Cherries’ prized assets are all under contract, Fletcher knows player-power can often weaken a club’s hand in the bargaining process.

Cherries reluctantly sold Brett Pitman, Josh McQuoid and Marvin Bartley to Championship clubs last season and could be vulnerable to further departures before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Fletcher told the Daily Echo: “You have got to earn your stripes when you step up and it can be easier said than done. It is much harder to establish yourself, particularly if you have never played at a higher level.

“Although the trappings are good, the grass is not always greener. The boys here all love playing regularly and that can be taken away from you for a long time if you make the wrong move.

“I can see why players take the opportunity to move up but lots of things need to be taken into consideration. On the face of it, these moves can look fantastic but you have always got to look a bit deeper.

“Although going to a club in a higher division almost certainly means earning a few extra bob, players need to think about whether the move would be right for them. There are footballing issues to consider as well as financial ones.”

Fletcher added: “I have seen people move to clubs at a higher level and it not work out for them. Then, it ends up being a backward step and it can be a slippery slope.

“We know there will probably be interest in our players because they have done so well over the past couple of seasons. In that respect, we have become victims of our own success.

“As a club, we will do everything we can to keep everyone together.”