#PLStories- Gary O’Neil gives his views on leaders in AFC Bournemouth squad #AFCB

THE RETURN of Lloyd Kelly will be a boost to Cherries in more ways than one – not only will Gary O’Neil have his first-choice centre-back available, but also his captain. Kelly has been pictured back training on the grass during Cherries’ trip to the UAE, with O’Neil’s latest direct updates regarding his return from an ankle injury indicating a likely return to availability after the break for the World Cup. Named captain by previous boss Scott Parker last term, the 24-year-old led Cherries to second-place and promotion from the Championship, making the most appearances in a single season in his career to date. Club stalwart Adam Smith has worn the captain’s armband in the absence of Kelly, whilst fellow experienced head Junior Stanislas led the side during the Carabao Cup victory over Everton in November. With Premier League experience at a premium amongst O’Neil’s charges, it is no surprise that Cherries’ two longest-serving players have worn the armband whilst Kelly has been side-lined with injury. Whilst all Premier League teams have defined club captains, certain clubs in the top-flight operate with “leadership groups”. One heavily publicised example is at the Emirates Stadium, where Mikel Arteta has reported named summer signing Gabriel Jesus and ex-Gunners skipper Granit Xhaka as members of a “leadership group” alongside captain Martin Odegaard at Arsenal. Asked if there was a similar approach to leadership at Cherries, O’Neil revealed how players naturally cropped up as leaders. He told the Daily Echo in November: “There’s nothing defined. “I think you can see in the group that there are certain individuals that lead situations. “I mean, there's so many different ways to lead. “I think I was never really a shout out, but I tried to lead by example, in the way that I went about my work and training and things. “We have those and then we have more vocal ones. “So the most important thing is it's a real good, honest group that are all pushing in the same direction. Asked if he had become more of a “shout out” manager, O’Neil joked: “After the game at Leeds, I did!” Stand-in skipper Smith concurred with his boss when asked for his thoughts on wearing the captain’s armband, stressing how “it doesn't really make any difference”. “Even when Lloydy was playing as captain, I'm still the same,” he shared. “I’m just trying to help the younger lads, so it doesn't really change much.” Cherries return to action at the end of December, when they visit Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, December 21.