FIRST team coach Tommy Elphick believes Lloyd Kelly’s leadership qualities shone through during his time on the sidelines – sharing how the centre-back was a “credit to himself”.

Last term Kelly became the second defender to captain Cherries to promotion from the Championship.

Like his predecessor Elphick, Kelly’s first season post-promotion has been hindered by an ankle injury, with the 24-year-old missing 12-weeks of action before making his return for Cherries’ 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Whilst club stalwart Adam Smith has donned the captain’s armband in the absence of the club captain on the pitch, there has been no need to replace Kelly off of it, with the former Bristol City man still leading Cherries whilst he made his recovery from injury.

Asked if Kelly had continued to lead behind the scenes whilst rehabbing, Elphick told the Daily Echo: “100 per cent.

“And people do it in different ways. You don't have to be a club captain, or wear a captain's armband to do that.

“But the way Lloyd carries himself day to day, he's a credit to himself.

“He's a huge asset to the football club and he's been in and amongst it.

“In the interim period as well, he was great for the manager and the coaching team.

“Always around it, always at the games, leading by example that way as well.

“So to have him back, yes, it's great news.”

Thanks to a playing career that spanned the top three tiers of English football across the span of a decade and a half, Elphick has a bank of knowledge to take into his fledgling coaching career.

The 35-year-old only hung up his boots at the end of the 2020-21 campaign, retiring after a short spell at Huddersfield Town, before taking up a role in Cherries’ academy, working alongside Shaun Cooper in the under-21s.

Elphick revealed how the coaching staff would be keen to offer their advice when players require it, beginning: “They'll come to you when they need it.

“Our job is to coach the lads and point them in the right direction on the training pitch.

“If there's ever a time that a lad needs a little bit of advice and can come and talk to you as I say, I was sitting in a dressing room not so long ago myself, so I know what it feels like to be in these situations.

“I know what's going through their head, so if they ever need it, between us (coaches) we’re all there.”