CHERRIES boss Sean O'Driscoll says he would have "no qualms" about playing Gareth Stewart ahead of Neil Moss - "if I thought it was the best thing for the team".

Stewart is set to become the first of Cherries' 10 out-of-contract players to pledge his future to the club after agreeing terms for a new two-year deal at Dean Court.

The 25-year-old stopper joined Cherries in 1999 but has been forced to play second fiddle to Moss in recent seasons, making just two LDV Vans Trophy appearances in the past two years.

But the former England youth international, who last started a league game on the final day of the 2001-02 season, has been rewarded for his patience with a new deal.

O'Driscoll told the Daily Echo: "He's not unique because there are 91 goalkeepers in a similar position to him.

"Gareth's played in our first team and he's well capable of playing in our first team.

"He knows that, we know that and I think Neil Moss knows that as well. We see him as a first-team goalkeeper and not as a back-up."

Stewart, who has suffered more than his fair share of injuries, has been left kicking his heels as Moss has made 111 consecutive league starts since his arrival on a permanent basis in February 2003.

O'Driscoll added: "Neil has been extremely lucky with injuries and he's played virtually every game.

"But in football you are always one tackle or one kick away from an injury and if that were to happen or if Neil were to lose form, then Gareth would play.

"Gareth's attitude has been first class. He works extremely hard and he's performed exceptionally well in the reserves so that's all he can do.

"I think he finds it frustrating at times but his options are that he seeks employment somewhere else or he carries on.

"It would be easy for him not to train properly and sulk but he hasn't done that. He's got his head around it and we're lucky to have somebody as capable as him as part of the squad.

"We're delighted he has decided to stay. I understand he wants to play and there might become a time when we have to look at it again and he might get an opportunity elsewhere. If that happens, we'll have to sit down and see what's best for everybody."

Meanwhile, O'Driscoll is keen to reach agreement with the club's remaining nine out-of-contract players "within the next few days" and said he was hoping to table proposals to Brian Howard and Steve Cooke on Monday (May 23).

He confirmed the club was "very close" to finalising a 12-month deal with Neil Young and also said the other eight players were all in talks regarding one-year deals.

However, following Marcus Browning telling the Daily Echo that he was in talks over a two-year deal, O'Driscoll did clarify that "everything is negotiable".

And in the case of Browning, the boss added: "It might end up being two years, but at this moment in time, we're looking to sign everybody on one-year contracts."

Cherries' remaining nine out-of-contract players: are Karl Broadhurst, Browning, Alan Connell, Steve Fletcher, Shaun Maher, Steve Purches, Dani Rodrigues, Jason Tindall and Young.