CAPTAIN Tommy Elphick is confident he can forge a strong Championship alliance with Steve Cook - but he admits they will need to “step up in every department”.

Cherries duo Elphick and Cook will both be hoping to retain their places as Eddie Howe's preferred central defenders after flourishing last season.

The centre-halves, key figures in Cherries' triumphant League One campaign, will be entering virtually unknown territory when they make the leap to the second tier of English football during 2013-14.

Elphick believes that he and fellow former Brighton colleague Cook can build on their promotion-winning form when they ply their trade at the higher level.

But while he is relishing the challenge of providing Cherries with firm foundations in the Championship, the 25-year-old is also aware that improvements will be required to combat the division's leading strikers.

Asked if he was confident the pair could form a partnership at the higher level, Elphick told the Daily Echo: “Yes, I hope so. We saw off some good strikers last season. We played at Wigan in the FA Cup and both did pretty well.

“It is time I stepped up to play at that level. For Cooky, he is at such a young age that the world is his oyster.

“If we are playing well, hopefully that can give the other lads confidence to go and do their stuff as well.”

Discussing the differences they may face in the second tier, Elphick continued: “Everyone is a little bit quicker, a little bit stronger, a little bit more switched on and they have more knowledge of the game. We have got to be at it and we have got to step up in every department.

“Cooky has got a great start with his physical attributes because he is quick and agile, so he is going to have a real chance of doing well at this level.

“The longer we play together, hopefully we will improve. That goes for whoever is chosen at centre-half as you need to strike up that relationship.

“But everything has got to go up, especially the concentration levels because you can't afford to give the strikers a chance at this level.”

Elphick, who started 34 league games for Cherries last term, added: “Cooky and me both had the same schooling at Brighton and were brought up playing the right way and wanting the ball, and I think that stood us in good stead last season.

“We need to take the relationship on and keep our shirts because we have some other good defenders in the team and the gaffer is probably looking to strengthen in all areas, so you have got to be on your toes, especially at a club which is progressing like ours.”

Meanwhile, Oxford United are believed to be monitoring Cherries striker Matt Tubbs, who has also been linked with Rotherham.