SCOTT Parker insists Mark Travers remains as his first choice goalkeeper, despite the arrival of Freddie Woodman this week.

Cherries chased hard to sign Newcastle United stopper Woodman in the summer, only for the move to fall down at the 11th hour.

It is likely the former England under-21 international would have come straight in as first choice, given his two years of Championship experience during loan spells at Swansea City.

However, the picture now looks different with 22-year-old Travers excelling in his first season as number one at Cherries.

The Irishman has missed just one Championship match this term, keeping 12 clean sheets from his 27 appearances, more than any other keeper in the league.

Cherries also have the joint-best defensive record in the division, alongside West Bromwich Albion.

Asked if he has a first choice goalkeeper in mind following the arrival of Woodman on loan this week, Parker told the Daily Echo: "Travs has got the shirt at the moment.

"Travs has done extremely well, incredibly well.

"But if you want to be operating in and around where we’re operating – you look at the other teams that are expected or want to expect to go up automatically, those clubs have strong competition in all positions.

"I feel certainly in the keeper position now we have exactly that really. So, good competition for Trav and obviously Fred will push and push.

"An extremely experienced keeper in this division that brings big quality to us, so I’m looking forward to him pushing Trav.

"I’m looking for Trav to react in the right way, which he has done throughout this season.

"He’s been incredible. I’m seeing someone grow and grow and grow. So, good competition there really for us."

Discussing the attributes which made Woodman, 24, an attractive proposition in the transfer market, Parker added: "He brings experience in this division, definitely. He has played a lot of football in this division, a lot of games.

"I think his distribution is very good, his shot-stopping too. I think he's an all-round very good keeper, who is growing.

"He's a young keeper and is still in his development, but probably not young in this division, really. He's a big character.

"Everything I've heard about Freddie, all the references I've got regarding him as a person, what he stands for and his values, have all been top.

"And I've probably seen that in a real short space of time. So Fred's going to help us. I'm glad we've got him."

While Travers is expected to start against Birmingham City in the league on Wednesday night, Woodman could debut against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup on Sunday (6.30pm).