LONG-serving defender Karl Broadhurst described his return to the Cherries starting line-up as a "bitter-sweet" experience.

Broadhurst was drafted in for his first start for more than 14 months during Cherries' 2-1 defeat by Colchester at Dean Court.

The 26-year-old, who has been plagued by a nagging back problem, replaced Eddie Howe, who was ruled out due to an Achilles injury.

But despite returning to the fold after such a long absence, Broadhurst admitted he had mixed feelings.

"It was bitter-sweet but probably more bitter," said Broadhurst, who has made four substitute appearances since returning in February.

"The manager made it clear after the game that he wasn't best pleased with our performance and rightly so because we weren't very good.

"From a selfish point of view, I'm half pleased because I got through the 90 minutes, but from a team point of view, I'm really disappointed due to the result.

"The team has been excellent in the past five or six games and really shown some good form, but it was a complete reversal against Colchester."

Broadhurst discovered he would be starting against the high-flying U's on the eve of the contest. "Richard O'Kelly rang me at about 5pm on Friday," he recalled.

"He asked if my back was okay and whether I would be okay to start if I was needed. I said I was fine and I wasn't going to say 'no' to an opportunity to start."