GOALKEEPER Ryan Allsop yesterday took his Cherries bow when he lined up in the development squad’s 3-0 defeat at Swindon.

Allsop, who last month penned a three-and-a-half year deal at Dean Court following his departure from Leyton Orient, had not played competitively for more than nine weeks.

But the 20-year-old acquitted himself well behind a youthful Cherries team and was powerless to stop Alex Ferguson’s double and a Luke Rooney strike giving Swindon victory.

Boss Eddie Howe, who has named Allsop on the bench in Cherries’ past six games, said: “It was good for Ryan to play. It had been a little while since his last competitive game.

“We have watched him very closely in training and he has done very well since he has come in. All the goalkeepers are pushing each other very hard, which can only serve us well.”

Meanwhile, Cherries have confirmed defender Tommy Elphick will be sidelined for at least another four weeks.

Elphick sustained bone bruising when he was caught by Ryan Lowe’s X-rated tackle during the 3-0 win at MK Dons 18 days ago.

However, as the 25-year-old continued to feel some discomfort, he was referred for a second opinion and a further scan revealed soft tissue damage.

With both Elphick and Miles Addison on the treatment table, Cherries could invoke a 24-hour recall for Stephane Zubar, who is currently on loan with Bury, should they need any defensive cover.