THE same season Neto was representing Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey, Cherries youngster Cameron Plain was cutting his teeth as a teenager at Wimborne Town.

But now, the 19-year-old is aiding the club’s goalkeeping department as backup to Mark Travers in the Premier League.

With Neto injured and Will Dennis ineligible, having not been registered in the 25-man squad, Plain stepped up to the bench for Cherries during their 3-2 defeat to Spurs on Saturday.

He does not need to be registered in the top flight as he is under the age of 21.

Plain was not required to come off the bench but still would have gained valuable experience, having regularly trained with the first team and travelled with matchday squads as a third goalkeeper.

Having come through the ranks at Cherries after joining from Winchester under-16s, Plain played for under-18 boss Alan Connell when Cherries reached the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup in 2018-19.

He has also had spells at Ringwood and Bashley before stand-out performances at Wimborne led to him training with England’s under-18 and under-19 goalkeepers.

Speaking to the Daily Echo back in 2020, Plain insisted he had relished the chance to play at non-league level.

He said: “It’s more of a maturity thing.

“Goalkeeping is always developing, my ability is always developing. It’s more the game management side of it and experiencing different sides of football.

“Coming up from youth football, the emphasis isn’t always on winning.

“To go out at an early age and play men’s football – they don’t treat you any differently just because you are younger.

“You are a man on that pitch. It’s a good experience noticing that side.”

And with Neto still nursing the injury he sustained at West Ham last week, Plain could be featuring on the bench more prominently for Cherries over the next few weeks.