CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola insisted that goalkeeper Andrei Radu is ready to step in as replacement for Neto following news that the first-choice shot-stopper will be sidelined by an ankle issue.

Signed in the summer on loan from Italian Inter Milan, Radu has made just two appearances, playing in both of Cherries’ EFL Cup wins.

He kept a first clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Stoke City in the second round at the back end of September, his most recent performance.

Boss Iraola has confirmed that Radu will start against Burnley tomorrow (3pm).

That is despite the fact that Cherries have recalled Mark Travers from his loan spell at Stoke, the Irishman also available tomorrow.

Asked by the Daily Echo if the Romanian international would be ready for the key clash, Iraola responded: “I think he has been pushing. He has been training well.

“You never want that it has to be through an injury, But it is the moment for him to show what he has, his level and we will try to make him also feel comfortable. We hope he has a good performance tomorrow.”

When the fact that Radu has largely been sat on the bench in recent seasons was raised to Iraola, the head coach replied: “It is true, but I think he is coming from an important club.

“He has played important games, especially in Serie A, also in the French league.

“So it is not like someone that is making his debut. He has performed in important games, important teams.

“The reason we signed him in the summer is because we think he is ready to play here.”