GOALKEEPER Asmir Begovic stressed his desire to feature back at England’s elite level and admitted it would be “ideal” to do it with Cherries.

The Bosnian stopper has previously represented the Dorset club in the top flight, as well as playing for the likes of Portsmouth, Stoke City and Chelsea.

Begovic was part of the Chelsea squad to win the Premier League title in 2017 before moving to Cherries for £10million in the same year.

He spent time on loan at Qarabag and Milan last season before returning to the south coast following Cherries’ relegation.

But asked how much he wanted to feature back at the top level in England, Begovic told the Daily Echo: “Of course, a lot of desire.

“I feel I can still keep playing this game for quite a long time. I want to play at the highest level possible.

“It would be obviously ideal if I could do that at Bournemouth and make sure we get to the Premier League next year.”

The 33-year-old has played 43 times for Cherries in the Championship this season, keeping 15 clean sheets.

And Begovic believes with regards to competitiveness, the second tier is one of his toughest challenges.

“This is unique,” said the Bosnian international. “Obviously I have played in the Championship before, I know what it’s like, the competitiveness of it is incredible.

“The level is high every single game and obviously the games are so bunched up, so there is never a break.

“You have to be so consistent to get out of this league and to get results.

“It’s a lot of fun to play in this league but it’s definitely, you can probably say, the toughest league in lots of ways.”

Despite a 1-0 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, Cherries saw their play-off place confirmed following Reading’s 2-2 draw with Swansea just less than 24 hours later.

Jonathan Woodgate’s side, who had previously won their past seven league contests, will head into the play-offs along with Brentford, Swansea and Barnsley.

Quizzed on the defeat to the Bees – Cherries’ second loss to Thomas Frank’s men this campaign – the goalkeeper replied: “It was always going to be a tight game. Two good teams going at it.

“We had a tough game up there I guess around the new year, and Saturday was no different.

“Small details decide these games, we’ve got to dust ourselves down, analyse after the weekend and push on again next week.

“We have to take it on the chin. We’ve been on an incredible run.

“Seven games in a row when you win is fantastic – maybe Saturday came a little bit too much for us. Physically it was difficult.

“Listen, they are a good side for sure but we have got Wycombe next week.

“We’ve got to bounce back there, we’ve got to put a good week’s work in, look at the stuff we need to fix from this game and put in a good performance there – make sure we bounce back and get a good result.

“It’s Stoke after that and then we will hopefully look after the play-offs.

“It’s still a little while away. We will focus on what’s next first.”