SEAN O'Driscoll has reached the halfway point in completing his negotiations with Cherries' 10 out-of-contract players when he agreed terms with Karl Broadhurst, Marcus Browning and Steve Fletcher.

Defender Broadhurst, midfielder Browning and striker Fletcher are all expected to sign new one-year deals when their current contracts expire at the end of next month.

The trio are set to follow in the footsteps of Neil Young and Gareth Stewart who both also pledged their short-term futures to the club by agreeing respective one and two-year deals earlier this week.

And O'Driscoll confirmed that talks with the remaining five out-of-contract players - Alan Connell, Shaun Maher, Steve Purches, Dani Rodrigues and Jason Tindall - were "ongoing" and added that he hoped they would reach a conclusion "one way or another in the next few days". Connell, Maher, Purches and Rodrigues are believed to be thinking over the club's offer of new 12-month deals, while Tindall is in talks over a short-term contract as he bids to regain his fitness.

O'Driscoll said: "We are pleased the three boys have all agreed terms and the rest of them are keen to get things done and dusted before they go on holiday so we should know one way or another soon."

Discussing the players individually, O'Driscoll added: "Karl played a large part of the season under extremely difficult circumstances carrying a hernia. He gritted his teeth and got through it until his back gave out due to his groin problem which curtailed his season.

"He's a captain on and off the pitch and even when he wasn't involved, he came to away games and was very influential in the dressing room."

"He epitomises the sort of attitude and commitment that all clubs with small squads need if they are going to be successful.

"Marcus is one of our more experienced players but whenever he comes into the side, he still plays with all the enthusiasm of a youngster. He's as fit as anybody in the squad, he's good on and off the pitch and is somebody who gives our squad balance between youngsters and experienced players.

"He's one of those experienced players who is good to have in a squad because he uses his experience in a positive way whether he's playing or not playing.

"Steve Fletcher has his critics but everybody we speak to in our division say they are glad when they see his name is not on the teamsheet.

"He's been an integral part of the team for a long time and I think he's as fit as he's been for many a year and I think he's done well enough to earn another contract."

Browning, who was hoping to pen a two-year, told the Daily Echo: "I'm happy with one year. I wanted two but the club were a bit cagey about giving me one so I'll just have to prove my fitness again this time next year."

Previewing next season, he added

"Hopefully we can start a bit better than we did last season. We had a few draws and if we can turn them into wins, it will stand us in good stead.

"Competition for places is always healthy and if the manager picks you, you hope you can stay in the team. I feel I can do a job in midfield for the team. I don't doubt my own ability and I'm ready to play."

O'Driscoll said he was keen to finalise talks with his own out-of-contract players before he started to consider which areas of his squad he would be looking to add to. However, he also confirmed that negotiations with freed Aston Villa winger Steve Cooke were continuing.