DETERMINED Stephen Purches vowed to do everything in his power to claim a regular starting place after admitting his comeback campaign in Dorset had proved frustrating.

The experienced utility man was restricted to just 13 appearances having rejoined the club following a spell at Leyton Orient.

Signed by Eddie Howe in June 2010, Purches featured at right-back in the early stages of last season before sustaining a rib injury and being kept out of the team by the form of loan star Adam Smith.

With Smith looking unlikely to return to Cherries despite being offered terms by boss Lee Bradbury, the defensive berth he occupied is up for grabs.

And Purches is bidding to bounce back from his 2010-11 disappointment by forcing his way into Bradbury’s first-choice League One line-up.

The Essex-born defender told the Daily Echo: “My aims are the same every season I go into – I want to play as many games as I can and I will do everything I can to do that.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite like that last season. Not being involved was frustrating but you find yourself a role.

“With regards to last season, I made sure I didn’t let that affect me and supported the lads all the way through.

“I have started afresh this season and, hopefully, I will start as I did last year.”

Purches believes the experiences of last season have made him stronger.

He said: “It was a situation that just happened. It happens to everyone at some point in their career and it happened to me last season.

“I don’t think it is a case of having a point to prove. You know what you can do and it is just a case of making sure that each season and each game you play, you do your best and you want to play.

“We have got a group of lads that are all the same – if you are not in the team, it is frustrating. There is no one here having an easy ride and everyone wants to play.

“It just didn’t quite happen for me last season but these sort of situations in your life and career can, hopefully, only make you stronger and a better person.

“Each different experience you have can, hopefully, only help you in the long run in your career and future games.

“Things don’t always go exactly how you want so it is about bouncing back, dusting yourself off and believing in yourself as a player.”