ROOKIE Ryan Pryce is bracing himself for the "biggest moment" of his career after being put on stand-by to solve Cherries' goalkeeping crisis.

The teenager will deputise for Gareth Stewart against Luton tonight should boss Kevin Bond's search for a more experienced stopper draw a blank.

Pryce was thrown in at the deep end when he came on for the final 18 minutes against Southend on Saturday after Stewart had been forced off by a hamstring injury.

And the 18-year-old, who had already played 90 minutes for the youth team in the morning, will again be between the sticks unless Bond can find a replacement.

Pryce, the only fit goalkeeper left on the books, said: "It's been an amazing few days. I got to the ground after the youth team game on Saturday and, unfortunately, Gareth got injured so I was given my chance to make my first-team debut.

"I was buzzing when I went on in front of more than 5,000 people because I had only ever played in front of a few hundred before Saturday. I don't think it has really sunk in yet. It's something you dream about as a kid so when it comes true, it's unbelievable."

Bond has until three hours before kick-off (7.45pm) to sign a loan replacement, although speaking after training yesterday, said he was not optimistic about the prospect of beating the deadline.

He added: "It's not an ideal situation for Ryan to come in.

"He recognises that, but he's a great lad and trains with us all the time. In an ideal world, I'd like someone with more experience, but if I had to play him, I'd have no hesitation in putting him in."

Bond came in for some fierce stick from sections of the crowd as Cherries crashed to a heavy 4-1 defeat against Southend and is hoping his charges can bounce back against fellow strugglers Luton.

Asked about the criticism, Bond said: "It has always been part of football and I think it's more a part of football today than it ever has been. Supporters want to have their say, which I understand, because they pay their money.

"It isn't easy for them and they just want to see their team win.

"We would prefer for it not to happen but understand it's the nature of the business these days."

Cherries: (from) Pryce, Young, Gowling, Perrett, Cummings, Gradel, Cooper, Tessem, Hollands, Kuffour, Vokes, Pearce, Pitman, Bradbury, Bartley, McQuoid, Partington, Stewart.

Luton Town: (from) Brill, Goodall, Hutchison, Perry, Keane, Currie, Robinson, Spring, Bell, Talbot, Andrew, Emanuel, Furlong, Morgan, Jackson, Beresford.