Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Lee wants Flahavan to push Jalal
Cherries boss Lee Bradbury has challenged new recruit Darryl Flahavan to duel with Shwan Jalal for the number one spot at Dean Court.[LNB] Flahavan yesterday penned a one-year contract with the club having an option to extend the deal for a further 12 months and joined on a free transfer from Portsmouth.[LNB] News of Cherries' interest in the 32-year-old was revealed on the Daily Echo's Twitter feed when Jason Pearce moved in the opposite direction to Fratton Park last week.[LNB] Romsey-based Flahavan played alongside Bradbury during their time together at Southend and also worked with Cherries goalkeeping coach Neil Moss at Southampton.[LNB] His signing came on the day current first choice Jalal revealed to the Daily Echo that talks regarding a new contract with Cherries had broken down.[LNB] Bradbury told the Echo: Jal has done very well for us during the past couple of seasons and has been one of our most consistent players.[LNB] We haven't been able to come to an agreement on a new contract at the moment so we need to bring in someone who is going to push him for his place and someone who is more than capable of playing.[LNB] I have been honest with both of the lads. The best keeper will play. I have no allegiance to either of them. I just want to put out the best team.[LNB] Bradbury and Flahavan helped Southend win the Division One title in 2006, the goalkeeper going on to make more than 300 appearances for the Shrimpers.[LNB] He won the player-of-the year award that season and is a great keeper, added Bradbury. It will be great for him and Jal to work with each other and push each other.[LNB] Flahavan's arrival has prompted Bradbury to cool interest in signing Glenn Hoddle Academy goalkeeper Billy Lumley, who trained with Cherries last season.[LNB] Bradbury said: That is dead and we can't take Billy on as well. It is not going to happen at the moment. We liked Billy but he was going to cost money and is unproven. Darryl was on a free and is an experienced keeper who can come in and push Jal for his place.[LNB] Teenage goalkeeper Dan Thomas is set to spend next season on loan at Conference South outfit Dorchester Town, while Cherries will run the rule over young Wigan goalkeeper Callum Williams during pre-season.[LNB] Meanwhile, talks continued last night between Cherries and AFC Wimbledon over Dons midfielder Steven Gregory.[LNB] Cherries are understood to have agreed a fee.[LNB]
