Cherries manager Eddie Howe voiced his support for Dan Thomas after watching the teenage goalkeeper produce an assured display on his full league debut.

The 18-year-old rookie kept a clean sheet having been called into first-team action as cover for injured star stopper Shwan Jalal.

A product of the Dean Court youth ranks, Thomas was last month handed a one-year contract – his first professional deal – by boss Howe.

And the local lad immediately began repaying the faith showed in him with a solid performance in the excellent 4-0 win over Port Vale, his highlight being a fine first-half save from Craig Davies.

Howe said: “He’s learned a tremendous amount from Neil Moss in a short space of time.

“He has still had to go to college twice a week this season, so we’re hopeful when we get him training every day the improvement in him will be increased.

“We’re pleased with him. He’s got a lot of hard work ahead of him and a lot to improve.

“But he has the attributes to be a good goalkeeper.”

Former Portchester School pupil Thomas was understandably delighted after taking his chance to impress in front of a capacity crowd.

He said: “I was more anxious than nervous. I don’t really struggle with nerves and I just wanted to get out there and play.

“It was probably the best day of my footballing career.

“As a keeper, you never want to concede a goal. But to keep a clean sheet on a day like Saturday, it made it even better.”

Thomas, who is hoping to learn from coach Moss and senior keeper Jalal, was required to play after Cherries’ number one sustained an ankle ligament injury in training on Thursday.

One of the stars of the club’s promotion campaign, Jalal was forced to watch from the sidelines, but could return when Cherries finish their season at Chesterfield next weekend.