AFC Bournemouth have provided Dorchester Town with a welcome boost ahead of today’s trip to Banbury United by agreeing to extend Callum Buckley’s loan stay at the Avenue.

The young defender has played every minute of the Magpies’ seven Southern Premier Division fixtures so far this season and has proved a welcome addition to the squad.

Left-back Buckley, now starting his second month with Dorchester, is another in a long line of Cherries’ players to get valuable experience at the county town club, and caretaker-boss Stuart Heath is pleased to see him continue his development with the Magpies.

“Callum has been brilliant for us,” he said. “He has shown a fantastic attitude in his time with us, on and off the pitch, and he’s getting better week by week.

“Not only are we benefitting from having Callum but he is benfitting from being here and Bournemouth are as well.

“Callum provides stability and consistency at left-back. He has settled in really well and I’m looking forward to seeing him continue his development with us.

“When you’ve got a willingness to learn, which he has, you’ve always got a chance and I’m sure he will keep progressing.

“Bournemouth see a lot of potential in him, as we do.”

Heath added that Mason Walsh, who arrived on loan from the Cherries with Buckley and then suffered a nasty ankle injury just minutes into his debut at Arlesey, could feature in a Magpies’ shirt again when he is back to full fitness.

Meanwhile, Magpies’ chairman Matt Lucas has told Echosport that the club will meet potential suitors for the vacant manager’s role next week.

Dorchester say they have had a lot of interest in the position since Phil Simkin was relieved of his duties, and Lucas feels the job needs someone who knows the club.

“We need to look for someone who knows the club and lives relatively local because it would be difficult for someone coming from miles away to give it the same impact,” he said.

“They need to invigorate the club and be hands on.

“We need to move relatively quickly for the stability of the club, but it’s important we get the right candidate.”