CHERRIES boss Kevin Bond will step up his search for a new goalkeeper after failing in a bid to re-sign Portsmouth's Asmir Begovic.

Bond has been given permission by the Football League to sign a back-up stopper on a seven-day basis to help ease Cherries' goalkeeping crisis.

But after making an enquiry with Pompey for Begovic, Bond was told the 20-year-old would be unavailable due to international duty with Canada under-23s.

Begovic made nine appearances for Cherries at the start of this season before being taken out of the firing line following a couple of costly mistakes.

Bond is desperate for cover after Gareth Stewart's broken ankle left rookie Ryan Pryce as the only fit goalkeeper on the books.

And he is hoping to bolster his resources ahead of Cherries' daunting double-header at Leeds on Saturday and Oldham on Tuesday.