DEFENDER Chris Mepham hailed Cherries keeper Mark Travers’s shoot-out heroics – as well as his culinary skills in the kitchen!

The Irish stopper served up three vital penalty saves as Eddie Howe’s men progressed to the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

After keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw at Vitality Stadium, Travers underlined his appetite to reclaim a Premier League starting spot.

He denied 12-yard efforts from Joseph Mills, Kevin Dawson and James Morton.

And having lived with both Travers and midfielder Matt Butcher in recent weeks, Mepham was delighted to see his housemate hit the headlines.

The Wales international told the Daily Echo: “Travs and Butch are staying at mine, they are both really good lads. I wouldn’t have them round if they weren’t good lads.

“We spend a lot of time with each other away from football. They help around the house and they do dig in.

“They are pretty good. They never leave stuff lying about. Travs is a really good cook, which comes in handy always having healthy meals every night.

“He does good stir fry to be fair, I’ll give him that!”

Irish stopper Travers featured in Premier League games against Tottenham and Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

But boss Eddie Howe has opted to select fellow young gun Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks in league competition this campaign.

Mepham added: “I am sure in his head he (Travers) felt like he should be playing in the first game of the season – but every single keeper in their own right deserved to play.

“But he has been really positive, you could see on Wednesday it was a good display from him. He was nice and confident, assured and that’s what he offers.

“He is a really good lad, very professional on and off he pitch and is a good guy to have around.”

Quizzed on his cookery skills, goalkeeper Travers replied: “I don’t mind it. I enjoy cooking – once he (Mepham) cleans up I’m happy!

“We have lived with each other for the past six weeks and it’s been good fun living with him and Butch as well.

“We try to help each other out with the meals but I always get the short straw and end up doing it most of the time.

“Living with Gav (Kilkenny) last year, who made his debut on Wednesday was good and to play with your mates is always good fun.

“You get great relationships with the lads off the pitch and I think that’s important to bring onto the pitch.”