MARK Travers admits his brief loan spell at Swindon Town has given him a "taste" for regular first-team action, adding: "Hopefully I can get more games under my belt and push on."

Since bursting onto the scene with a man-of-the-match debut performance for Cherries in May 2019, the young goalkeeper has played just 16 further senior club matches.

Half of those came during a one-month stay at League One Swindon last season, spending the rest of his time playing second fiddle to the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Asmir Begovic at Cherries, both of whom shone between the sticks.

Travers, 22, last played competitively for Cherries in September, but looks set to get the chance to impress new boss Scott Parker during two upcoming friendly matches in Spain.

With Asmir Begovic nursing a minor injury, Travers is the most senior keeper currently involved in the club's Marbella training camp, with Will Dennis the only other stopper to have travelled.

The Daily Echo understands Cherries have agreed a season-long loan deal with Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who was due to be part of the squad in Marbella.

However, the deal has been held up, whilst Magpies' number one Martin Dubravka has a foot injury assessed.

Cherries face Real Balompedica Linense tomorrow, before a battle with La Liga side Granada on Monday (both 6pm).

Asked if he sees this as a real opportunity to shine given last season's number one Begovic is absent from the group, Travers told the Daily Echo: "Yeah, definitely. It’s really good to have two games out here in Spain.

"Me and Will are out here at the minute. The training has been really good, a high standard.

"It’s testing you every session and then obviously to add that to the games, so it’s really exciting to be back for pre-season with everyone. Hopefully I can do well in the games and impress in training and see where it takes me."

Begovic, who won the 2021 Daily Echo-Micky Cave player of the year trophy, has been linked with a move away this summer after a string of fine performances helped Cherries reach the Championship play-offs last term.

Asked if he is looking to prove he is ready to be the club's number one should an opening arise, Travers added: "Yeah, of course. I think as a footballer you always have to have that belief in what you can do and just focus on myself really.

"I can’t control anything else. Whatever happens, happens. So I can just turn up every day and train my hardest and just give 100 per cent to everything that’s asked of me and try and impress.

"That’s all that I can focus on and affect, so that’s what I’ll do in the next coming weeks for the games we have in pre-season."

Having been unable to force his way past in-form Begovic, in January Travers dropped down a level to get some regular football for relegation-threatened Swindon.

And the Republic of Ireland international impressed before being recalled earlier than planned, after Jonathan Woodgate took the reins and wanted him back in the squad as Begovic managed a knock.

"I just spoke to the club and thought that getting some games was the best thing for me last January," explained Travers.

"It was only a short spell for eight games, but I really enjoyed my time there at Swindon. It’s just good to go out there on a Saturday or a Tuesday night and just experience that.

"I know there was no crowd, but it was good to play against some top-end teams in that league and compete for three points every week. It’s great to get that feel and a taste for it.

"I obviously wanted to play as much as I can, but it just became short. Hopefully I can play as many games as I can this season and do well."

Asked if it was disappointing to be called back to Cherries early, Travers added: "Obviously there was a decision made and one that I just had to get on with and see what happens.

"But of course I think every player wants to play at the weekend, they’d be lying if they said they didn’t.

"But it only did me well, that brief spell, getting that game time in. I got a taste for it and now hopefully I can get more games under my belt and push on, definitely."

He added: "I’ve had to be patient as a goalkeeper, especially being young as well. I’ve just tried to work as hard as possible as I can on myself and focus on that.

"I’ll just give everything to try and play as many games as I can. I think that’s everyone’s goal as a footballer, to be on the pitch and play every week. I’ll be ready whatever happens anyway."

Asked if he has discussed with Parker where he features in his plans this season, Travers said: "We’re only fresh in with a new manager and staff and just out in Spain at the minute. So I just have to get my head down and work as hard as I can and do well in the games.

"Whatever opportunities I get I just have to impress. That’s all that I’m focused on at the minute. Of course everyone wants to play games, but I’m with Bournemouth and I have to show what I can do and hope that I can impress and get the rewards from that."