SKIPPER Tommy Elphick says he is ready to make up for lost time when he leads Cherries on their Championship adventure.

Dean Court captain Elphick was a leading performer as Eddie Howe’s men secured automatic promotion from League One last season.

The centre-half netted two goals in 34 third-flight appearances and he produced a series of consistent displays during his first season with the club.

Prior to joining Cherries last summer, Elphick had spent his career with Brighton since emerging from the youth ranks at his hometown club.

But despite having plenty of appearances to his name, Elphick’s experience of playing in the second tier is limited.

However, he is confident he knows what to expect when he makes the step up with Cherries next term.

Elphick told the Daily Echo: “I made my debut in the Championship as a sub in a game at Reading when I was 18.

“That was the year we went down at Brighton and the season we got promoted was the season when I got injured on the last day, so I haven’t actually played a full season in the Championship.

“In terms of playing time, I haven’t got a lot of experience. But I feel that the grounding I got when I was coming through at Brighton – I spent a lot of games on the bench for the first team – has helped me to know the Championship teams inside out.

“From that side of things, I have got plenty of experience and I know what it takes to step up. I want to prove that I can play at the level.”