BOSS Eddie Howe has challenged goalkeeper Lee Camp to reclaim the number one jersey having lost his place to Southampton loanee Artur Boruc.

Camp, who has featured in eight fixtures this season, was consigned to the bench as recent signing Boruc lined up in the 1-1 Championship draw at Watford and the 3-0 League Cup win at Cardiff.

Thirty-year-old Camp had been a regular in the Cherries side since signing a permanent deal in January on the back of a successful loan from West Bromwich Albion.

And while boss Howe admitted his regular custodian faced a difficult situation, he urged the former QPR, Nottingham Forest and Derby County man to battle for a starting berth.

Discussing Camp’s omission, Howe told the Daily Echo: “That’s the cut-throat nature of football.

“Lee Camp is a very good goalkeeper and I expect him and Artur to fight it out for the number one shirt and, hopefully, that will only benefit the team.

“We need competition for places. We need people breathing down each other’s necks so the guys that have the shirt produce better performances.

“That’s the response I expect from Lee – to train hard and wait for his opportunity back in the team.”

In addition to Boruc and Camp, Howe has Darryl Flahavan, Benji Buchel and Ryan Allsop at his disposal, although the latter is on loan at Coventry City until January.

And with Cherries well-stocked in the goalkeeping department, Howe admitted he could be tempted to secure one of his stoppers game time elsewhere.

He continued: “I think we’re happy with the team of goalkeepers we have. 

“They are all very good professionals and work incredibly hard at their games which I think can only benefit us, not only in matches but also in training.

“Benji is developing underneath and there may be a gap for one of them to go out on loan.”