SIDELINED goalkeeper Jordan Holmes has been handed a boost after he penned a new two-and-a-half year deal at Cherries.

The highly-rated youngster, a member of the under-21s squad, could return next month following surgery on his ankle in December.

Australia-raised Holmes joined Cherries in June 2013 when he signed a two-year scholarship after impressing on a tour to England organised by the club’s former academy coach Paul Hubbard.

And the Australia under-20 international was rewarded for his eye-catching progress a year later when he was handed a two-year deal.

Discussing his latest contract, Holmes told the Cherries website: "I’m really over the moon to sign this new deal. The club have been great with me ever since I arrived and to get it sorted is just surreal.

“The first time I signed was in 2013 and, hopefully, there will be many more years to come.

"I remember coming to trial to here back in League One. Even then the team spirit was great and the ambition was there, too. I'm so happy to be here and I am still learning so much all the time."

Holmes, 18, was recalled from a loan spell at Weymouth just before Cherries' visit to Chelsea at the start of December but did not make the matchday squad.