BOSS Lee Bradbury has revealed striker Michael Symes decided against exercising a 12-month option in his contract with Cherries.

Bradbury last week gave Symes the green light to join League One strugglers Rochdale, on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Out of contract in the summer, Symes will be entitled to leave Seward Stadium on a free transfer – unless he agrees a new deal in the meantime.

Symes, who turned down the offer of a three-year deal with Cherries earlier this season, requested the loan move due to a lack of game-time.

The 28-year-old is understood to have chosen not to trigger the one-year option as it could have left him in the same position next season.

Option clauses generally make provision either for a player to discuss fresh personal terms or will include a pre-determined salary package for the extension.

Bradbury told the Daily Echo: “His loan agreement with Rochdale runs until May 5 and his contract with us expires on June 30. We will keep tabs on how he does and monitor the situation.”

Symes, who penned a two-year deal when he joined Cherries from Accrington, has played second fiddle to Wes Thomas for much of this season, while the signing of Matt Tubbs pushed him further down the pecking order.

Should he deliver the goods for his former Stanley boss John Coleman who took over last month at Spotland, Symes could be offered terms by Dale.

“That is the gamble,” added Bradbury. “I didn’t want to commit to giving him a new contract just yet.

“I don’t think I have seen enough of him this season and I haven’t seen the best of him. He wanted to play games and it was his decision to go on loan and I can understand that.

“He had a clause in his contract he could have activated but he hasn’t. We are not really in the driving seat with it but I have brought in new strikers so that has pushed him down the pecking order.

“He has seen that and wants to play games.”

Symes will be hoping to make his delayed debut for Dale when they host Notts County on Saturday, although he will be ineligible to face Cherries when they travel to Spotland later this month.