AFC BOURNEMOUTH manager Mel Machin has invited out-of-favour Barnsley utility man Clint Marcelle to spend the week on trial at Dean Court.

The 30-year-old attacking midfielder will train at Chapel Gate for the next two days and will line up in Cherries' Avon Insurance curtain-raiser at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Triallist Gordon Watson, who has been training with Cherries for three weeks, is also expected to turn out at Portman Road after the former Saint was offered terms on a non-contract basis.

Marcelle has a year left on his contract at Oakwell but has been over looked by new Barnsley manager Dave Bassett this season and is almost certainly available on a free transfer.

The Trinidad and Tobago international has been capped 30 times by his country but made his last appearance for the Tykes as a substitute at Oxford in January.

Marcelle made a huge impact on Barnsley fans during his first season at Oakwell when he scored eight times to help the Tykes win promotion to the Carling Premiership two years ago.

He made 20 appearances in the top flight but started just two games last season.

Machin is keen to bolster his resources following Saturday's dismal 3-1 defeat at Division 2 rivals Bristol City.

He is still searching for both a striker and a defender although his interest in Coventry City's Ian Brightwell seems to have diminished.

Machin said: "I am not saying the deal is dead, but I think if Ian had wanted to come here he would have contacted me by now and I am not chasing after him."

Cherries suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of City who raced into a 3-0 lead through two goals from Ade Akinbiyi and a Jim Brennan strike before substitute John O'Neill netted a 77th-minute consolation.

Machin kept his players in the dressing room for more than an hour after the final whistle and they finally emerged for their warm-down just before 6pm.

He said today: "The lads know they let both themselves and the supporters down and they are very disappointed about it, but we will put things right.

"I stuck with the players who helped us win our first two games but I anticipate making one or two changes after Saturday's performance."

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