LONG-serving Cherries goalkeeper Shwan Jalal could be the first casualty of a January clear-out after being told he can leave Dean Court.

Boss Eddie Howe tonight confirmed the 30-year-old was no longer in his plans and said he expected Jalal to move on when the window reopens next month.

Jalal, signed by Kevin Bond from Peterborough in 2008, starred under Howe during Cherries’ Great Escape from relegation and in their League Two promotion campaign.

He missed just three league games as Cherries suffered play-off heartbreak in 2011 before losing his place to Darryl Flahavan the following season.

And despite regaining the number one spot at the start of last season, Jalal was replaced firstly by David James and then by Ryan Allsop.

Jalal, who has kept 48 clean sheets in 147 league starts for Cherries, has not featured since lining up in a 3-1 defeat at Leyton Orient in March.

He had a fruitless loan spell at Oxford United in September, when he did not make an appearance, and last week trained with Bradford City.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Howe said: “Shwan has trained very hard and has been a very good professional.

“He has been to a couple of clubs and had his loan move at Oxford.

“I think the next step for his career is that he goes somewhere, plays and gets in the public eye again.

“Unfortunately, this is one of the most difficult parts of my job because he has done really well and has been a great servant to the club, both on and off the pitch.

“He has been the ultimate professional and has been here through some really hard times and helped the club through them.

“But, at this stage of his career, sitting as a number two or three isn’t going to do him any good.

“He needs and wants to play and still has that desire to be a number one. Unfortunately, that is not going to be here but I still feel someone will be getting a very good goalkeeper.”

Jalal, whose existing contract with the club is due to expire at the end of the season, could command a small transfer fee or may be allowed to leave on a free.

Meanwhile, boss Howe and his management team will be among the crowd when Cherries host Hereford United in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Dean Court tomorrow (7pm).