TOMMY Elphick has backed Cherries to “learn quickly” in the Premier League cauldron.

The Dean Court side are set to begin their maiden season in the top flight at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, August 8.

And Elphick, 27, knows how important it will be for Cherries to swiftly adapt to their new level.

He told the Daily Echo: “We took some big hits in the Championship after we had come up from League One and had to learn quickly, and we did.

“We’re certainly not going to win as many games as we’ve been used to over the past two or three years, so we’re going to have to learn to cope with those setbacks.

“But a winning mentality is what we’ve grown on over the past few years and we want to continue that.

“There’s enough people with experience in the dressing room to deal with the challenges we will face.”

Cherries are set to return for pre-season training in a matter of days and Elphick wants last season’s Championship winners to pick up where they left off.

He added: “When we come back we have to hit the ground running and make sure we are ready for the opening day.

“It’s been a long time since the final game of last season and we can’t wait to get back.”