CHERRIES defender Narada is hoping to make up for lost time after finally agreeing to sign a new one-year contract.

The 21-year-old, who was offered fresh terms by Sean O'Driscoll last month, will officially put pen to paper when his existing deal expires on June 30.

Bristol-born Narada joined Cherries on a free transfer from Arsenal two years ago, but has been restricted to just 10 league starts.

And just as he looked set to establish himself in the Cherries first team last season, he was struck down by a long-term knee injury.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Narada said: "Last season was very frustrating. I was told the injury would take two to three weeks to heal and it ended up taking 14 weeks.

"I felt as though I was on the verge of breaking into the team and the injury came as a big blow. There is never a good time to get injured, but it certainly came at the wrong time for me.

"But I had a run of reserve games at the end of the season and it felt fine. I am raring to go now and really looking forward to getting back into training.

"I am delighted to have signed this new contract and more than happy to be staying at Bournemouth. Now I want to make an impact on the team.

"The manager has told me he wants to use me and hopefully I can stay injury-free next season and start to establish myself in the first team.

"I know it's going to be a big season for me, but hopefully I can impress the fans and be that left-back they keep telling me they haven't had for a few years.

"I like it when people keep saying I can be the left-back they haven't had for a while because it makes me determined to prove myself.

"Steve Purches has done a great job on the left, but I think he is naturally a right-sided player and hopefully I can push him over there."

Narada made nine league appearances last season and was substituted for tactical reasons after just 22 minutes on his last start against Notts County in October.

But the pacy youngster, who was visibly upset when he was hauled off against the Magpies, responded superbly and forced his way back into the reckoning before he sustained his injury against Wrexham in November.

Cherries player-coach Peter Grant said: "Narada reacted to that situation as we would have expected. Obviously he was very disappointed and we were very disappointed for him.

"But the way he came back showed the strength of character we want to see in our players. We told him we had taken him off for tactical reasons and it worked because we came back to win the game.

"He just got on with things and he has never let us down. He is a willing listener and would have played more games had it not been for his injury. We are delighted he has agreed to stay on board and now it is up to him to grab a place with both hands."

Cherries boss O'Driscoll, who is on a management course at Warwick University this week, is still waiting to hear whether Neil Young has accepted the club's offer of a new one-year deal.