ANDONI Iraola was pleased with Mark Travers’ performance during the keeper’s first Premier League appearance of the season for Cherries against Wolves.
Irishman Travers replaced club captain Neto in between the sticks at Molineux, recording a clean sheet as Cherries ran out 1-0 winners courtesy of Antoine Semenyo’s first-half strike.
With shots on his goal a rare occurrence Travers had to find other ways to make an impact on the game, a composed display seeing the goalie confident claiming high balls.
It was Travers’ first Premier League appearance in 330 days, his last top-flight showing coming away at Everton on the final day of last season.
Asked for the thinking behind Travers starting, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Because he's training very well and I wanted to see him in an away game with the pressure.
“And I think he played really well. We finished with a clean sheet and I'm happy for him.”
Travers’ performance may now give Iraola food for thought ahead of the final four games of the season, but the head coach insisted that he is yet to decide who starts in goal against Brighton on Sunday.
“I don't know what I'm going to do in the weekend,” the Basque boss continued.
“I don't know, I have to think.
“I have to see how they train.
"I think we have to see what we need against Brighton because Brighton is always special, the way they play.
“But I really don't know what I will do on Sunday.”
After starting the season on loan at Championship side Stoke City Travers was recalled by Cherries, making three appearances in the FA Cup this campaign.
Following promotion back to the Premier League Travers signed a new five-year deal with Cherries, tying the Irish international to Vitality Stadium until the summer of 2027.
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