ALEX Smithies has exited Cherries, following a brief trial period with the club.

The 32-year-old linked up with Scott Parker's men last week, as he searches for new employers after his four-year spell at Cardiff City came to an end this summer.

Smithies previously played over 250 games for Huddersfield Town, before moving on to QPR and then Cardiff.

He was the second keeper Cherries have taken on trial in recent weeks, with Dane Jonas Lossl featuring during pre-season, before the club opted not to pursue the deal further.

Asked if Smithies was still training with the club, boss Parker told the Daily Echo: "No. We’ve had two trialists in goal.

"Alex Smithies left after four days. He had a bit of a problem with his elbow.

"He trained with us and just didn’t feel that he was ready for where we need to get to and felt that he didn’t want to do that."

Mark Travers and inexperienced Will Dennis are the club's only two senior goalkeepers currently on the books, following the departure of loanee Freddie Woodman.

Asked if there was another goalkeeper lined up to come in this week ahead of Saturday's Premier League opener against Aston Villa, Parker replied: "I hope so."