Groves: Competition for places

AFC Bournemouth manager Paul Groves believes new signing Tommy Elphick will add competition to defenders in the Cherries squad.

The 24 year old central defender opted to make the move along the south coast to Dean Court after Brighton and AFC Bournemouth agreed an undisclosed fee which is reportedly around £200,000.

Elphick signed a three year contract at the Goldsands Stadium and became Cherries manager Paul Groves eighth signing of the summer.

The 6ft 2in defender played a key role in Brighton's promotion winning campaign in 2010/11, making 35 appearances, but hasn't featured for Brighton since their promotion to the Championship, after rupturing his Achilles tendon at the end of that season.

He has returned to action during pre-season, but Groves will assess him before naming his squad for this (Tuesday) evenings League Cup game against Oxford.

Groves told BBC Radio Solent...

"Tommy can bring a good level of competitiveness to the squad. He`s got good qualities as a central defender -he`s aggressive, played at this level and above.

"He`s played in a team that play football, so he`s well aware of what we are looking to do. And he`s a good character, a very, very good character. 

"He`s done the majority of the pre-season at Brighton and been involved in games, but as always we will have to assess people when they come in and make sure they`re up to speed and then get him playing. But obviously there is competition for places."

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