JONATHAN Woodgate hailed the role of Neil Moss in developing Cherries' goalkeepers, labelling him an "exceptional" coach.

The legendary former Cherries keeper played more than 200 games for the club across two spells in the 1990s and 2000s.

Since retiring from playing, Moss has been coaching at the club, now heading up a team who work with the first-team goalkeeping group.

In the past two seasons, the Daily Echo-Micky Cave player of the year award has been won by a goalkeeper, in Aaron Ramsdale and Asmir Begovic.

During that time, Moss has also worked with the likes of cult hero Artur Boruc and rising star Mark Travers.

Travers was enjoying a loan spell at League One Swindon Town when Woodgate took over from Jason Tindall as Cherries boss back in February.

But he swiftly recalled the young Irishman and while he did not feature during the closing months of the season, Woodgate says Travers will have benefited just from working closely with Moss again.

Discussing the decision to recall Travers, who has not played for Cherries since September, Woodgate told the Daily Echo: "He’s really keen to go and play, but it’s unfortunate he’s got Asmir ahead of him, who has been the Championship goalkeeper of the season.

"What I wanted, I did want two senior keepers. If Asmir got injured, then we’d have had to put Will (Dennis) in, who is an equally good goalkeeper, but I just wanted that extra bit of cover with Trav in as well.

"Asmir did have a little injury at the time, which is another reason why I brought him back. And also to work with our goalie coach.

"Mossy has been absolutely fantastic since I’ve been here and an exceptional goalkeeper coach. I try and watch the keepers as much as I can and when I can.

"I don’t think often managers do a lot of goalkeeper watching, but I like to watch them and see how they’re doing."

Travers could make his fourth senior appearance for Republic of Ireland in the coming weeks, having been named in the squad for friendlies against Andorra and Hungary on Thursday and next Tuesday respectively.

The 22-year-old is one of three goalkeepers in the squad, competing with Manchester City's Gavin Bazunu and Liverpool youngster Caoimhin Kelleher for match minutes.

"With Trav, it’s been tough for him coming back from being on loan (at Swindon)," said Woodgate.

"But it’s one thing when I was put in charge, I wanted two experienced goalkeepers. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. His attitude has been first class."

That attitude was highlighted when Travers jumped at the chance to feature alongside the club's under-21s in the Hampshire Senior Cup final.

He proved to be the hero, saving a penalty during the match against Eastleigh, before heading in a dramatic equaliser and then making stops in the subsequent shootout to secure the trophy for Shaun Cooper's side.

"I want my younger players like that to go and win trophies and to get a feeling of what it’s like to have that feeling of winning because it doesn’t happen that often in your career, especially as a football player," said Woodgate.

"When you have that attitude and humility to drop down a level and play a game, first class.

"Mossy is always talking really positive about him. He absolutely adores him. I do listen to what Mossy says. He’s a very experienced goalie coach.

"Look what he’s done with how good Asmir's been this season, so he deserves full credit for that as well.

"I do try and watch the keepers as much as I can in training. A lot of managers don’t often do it, but I like to try and pay them some attention, especially before the other players come out.

"Trav’s been exceptional, but he’s got an exceptional coach behind him too."