Fletcher sees Cherries on top

The veteran striker, who has been a part of the Dean Court set-up for 19 years, praised the work chairman Eddie Mitchell has done in regenerating the Dorset outfit - both on and off the field of play.

And he stressed the need for the Cherries squad to justify Mitchell's efforts and secure a spot in English football's second tier in the coming years.

"It's all set up now to get into the Championship," he told Press Association Sport. "There's a great youth set-up here as well and the team has got the foundations to push on and be a really good side.

"It's not just as easy as saying we're getting there. We've got players in who need to gel together and learn how each other plays.

"But the short-term ambition is getting that promotion. That might not be this year, but next year could be a big year for the club."