SEAN O'Driscoll has agreed terms for a new contract with Neil Young and says he is "close" to finalising deals with Karl Broadhurst and Marcus Browning.

Experienced defender Young, who is in his testimonial season with the club, is expected to pen a new one-year contract later this week.

The 31-year-old was entitled to an extension after triggering an appearance-related clause in the 12-month deal he signed last summer although it is believed the new contract does not contain similar provision.

Young is set to become the second of Cherries' 10 out-of-contract players to pledge his future to the club after goalkeeper Gareth Stewart agreed terms earlier this week.

And after revealing details of Young's imminent signing to the Daily Echo, O'Driscoll also confirmed that talks with Broadhurst and Browning were "moving forward".

He said the club was "close to dotting the Is and crossing the Ts" with the pair and added that he was hoping to hold further talks with Steve Fletcher, Shaun Maher and Alan Connell on May 25.

Jason Tindall is in talks regarding the possibility of signing a shortterm deal, Dani Rodrigues is on holiday in Portugal and Steve Purches is expected to give the manager a decision "by the end of the week".

Discussing Young's signing, O'Driscoll said: "He's a seasoned professional and a valuable member of the squad. We're delighted he's agreed to sign for another year and hopefully his testimonial goes very well because he deserves it."

And commenting on Young's loyalty, O'Driscoll added: "There probably comes a time in most players' careers where they have a chance to move on. A good contract offer comes in and they are 25 or 26, like Wade (Elliott) and Garreth (O'Connor), and they have a choice to make.

"But I think Neil was settled then and also he was very unfortunate because he got an injury as well which puts you back.

"He's been very consistent and probably one of the most consistent players we've had over the years. In fact, he's probably got better as he's got older and taken on more responsibility.

"You need experience in any team and he's one of our experienced players and is a credit to the club, both on and off the pitch.

"When he's not playing, he trains really hard and his attitude is positive in the dressing room so we're delighted he's agreed to stay for another year."

Meanwhile, O'Driscoll confirmed that he was at the "compromise stage" with Steve Cooke after tabling a contract offer to the winger earlier this week. And O'Driscoll said he was hoping for a decision "one way or the other, either later this week or the early part of next week".

However, he also revealed that no offer had yet been made to Brian Howard because "my priority is to get the boys who are already here sorted out before we turn out attentions to the leftsided berth".

O'Driscoll, who said he would be keeping Howard informed of any developments, added: "We've talked to various leftsided people and we'll just have to weigh up what we can and cannot do over the next couple of days."

Discussing any other possible signings, O'Driscoll said: "We are exploring other options all the time, but, financially, it's very difficult."

Regarding the two latest names to be linked with Cherries - Swindon's Sammy Igoe and Swansea's Leon Britton - O'Driscoll said he was "aware" of the duo, "along with 150 other names".