JOE Roach admits he is relishing the prospect of becoming Sean O'Driscoll's caretaker assistant manager.

O'Driscoll has asked Roach (left) to act as his right-hand man until a permanent number two is appointed as a replacement for Peter Grant.

Roach, Cherries' head of youth, stepped up to work alongside O'Driscoll following Grant's departure a fortnight ago.

And the diminutive Liverpudlian says he has taken the transition in his stride, thanks largely to the close involvement he already had with the first-team squad.

Roach told the Daily Echo: "I can't speak highly enough of Sean and Peter. When I first arrived here three years ago, they invited me to work with the first team very early on.

"I came in from outside the club and was allowed to be involved in pre-season training from day one. Since then, I've tried to be around the first team as much as possible and it's been great experience.

"I've been to as many first-team games as possible to make sure I understand the philosophy and the way Sean and Peter prepare the squad for both home and away fixtures."