CHERRIES head coach Gary O’Neil “never felt any nerves” with Mark Travers in between the sticks during the defeat to Everton.

O’Neil’s debut campaign as a manager culminated in a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park, with Irish international Travers only beaten by a fine Abdoulaye Doucoure strike in the 57th minute.   

News broke before the match that Cherries’ captain had flown back to his native Brazil following a close family bereavement.

That paved the way for Travers to start in goal for the first time in the league since a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United in January.

O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think it was a tough ask for him. Coming straight in, with very little notice.

“A tough game to come into.

“I’ll need to watch it back really, but I thought he looked assured.

“I never felt any nerves around him being in there. I thought he did well.

“Thoughts with Nets as well, I hope he’s doing as well as possible in his situation.”

Prior to the game, O’Neil had shared: “Neto had to leave the team hotel yesterday late for personal reasons.

“He's flown back to Brazil, our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this moment.”