AARON Ramsdale admits it is a “weird situation” to be battling three other goalkeepers for the number one spot at Cherries.

Ramsdale has shared pre-season duties between the sticks with Mark Travers, Artur Boruc and Asmir Begovic.

The 21-year-old spent the second half of 2018-19 on loan at AFC Wimbledon and earned rave reviews as he helped the Dons secure League One safety, during which time all three other keepers featured for the Cherries first team.

And Ramsdale believes any one of the quartet could start the opening Premier League game of the campaign against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Discussing the battle to earn a place in the team, Ramsdale told the Daily Echo: “It is strange but we’ve got a great camaraderie within the four of us.

“There’s two young lads and two older lads, two experienced and two inexperienced.

“I’ve played a handful of games and obviously Mark did really well at the end of last year. So it’s a weird situation, but it’s one we’re grasping too and we’re all working hard day in, day out to push each other and that’s the way it’s got to be.”

He added: “I am very grateful for the trust that the manager has given me.

“He said at the start of pre-season that it will be a clean slate and I don’t know who my number one is so come and take your opportunity.

“I feel like with the performances I’m putting in, I’m not doing myself any injustice. I’ve just got to take the punches and see if I can get the number one jersey.”

The Stoke-on-Trent-born star conceded no goals during his three pre-season outings.

He kept a clean sheet during his 45-minute appearance against former club AFC Wimbledon in La Manga last month before playing a starring role in the 0-0 draw at West Brom. He followed that up with 45 minutes during the 3-0 win over Lyon at Vitality Stadium on Saturday. Having had the taste of regular football at Wimbledon, playing 23 matches, Ramsdale is keen to continue his development by playing more minutes.

He said: “I learn the most through games.

“I get a little bit bored with training and I learn and progress with games.

“Doing that week in, week out with Wimbledon and bringing my form into pre-season I think that’s helped me a lot.”

Discussing the performances of the England under-20 international during the summer, boss Eddie Howe said: “He’s done very well, Aaron.

“I thought he had a good presence in goal on Saturday.

“I think he’s come back a lot better than the goalkeeper he was this time last year due to his loan spell and other training experiences that he’s gone through.

“Of course he’s on the international scene as well so he’s developed nicely and I’m pleased with him.”