CHRIS Tardif is vowing to put his Swansea nightmare behind him as he bids to break Cherries' goalkeeping jinx - at the second time of asking.

Tardif looks set to earn a recall for tomorrow's trip to Division Three rivals Exeter City at the expense of fellow loan signing Jamie Ashdown who has returned to Reading after being struck down by a knee injury.

Channel Islander Tardif was originally drafted in on loan from Portsmouth to deputise for first-choice stopper Gareth Stewart who also fell victim to the injury curse on the eve of the new season.

But the affable 21-year-old soon made way for Ashdown after his error at the Vetch Field gifted Swansea an opening goal during Cherries' 2-0 defeat in South Wales a fortnight ago.

Tardif, who dropped the ball at the feet of Swans striker Jamie Wood just 15 seconds into the clash, told the Daily Echo: "If I make a mistake, it shows up.

"A striker can miss six or seven good chances, but if he scores one goal, he's still the hero. It was a mistake that hopefully I will never make again.

"It was one of those situations when perhaps it was too easy, too early. I took my eye off the ball because I was thinking what I was going to do next instead of concentrating on taking it properly, but now I have got to put it behind me and get on with things."

Tardif added: "I feel sorry for both Jamie and Gareth because nobody likes to see a fellow pro sustain an injury. But I have got to look at it from my own perspective because it's a chance for me. These are the chances I wasn't getting at Portsmouth and that's why I came here in the first place.

"I think the boys have been doing well recently. Things seem to be on the turn, the atmosphere in the camp is good and hopefully we can continue the run at Exeter."

Tardif's loan spell is due to expire on Sunday, but Sean O'Driscoll is in talks with Harry Redknapp to extend his stay and get permission for him to line up in Cherries' Worthington Cup first round clash against Brentford next week.

O'Driscoll has not given up hope on Ashdown returning to Dean Court despite sending the 21-year-old back to the Madejski Stadium to seek medical advice on his knee injury.

Ashdown, who will stay registered to Cherries at least until September 21, headed back to Berkshire after reporting for training at Canford School yesterday morning.

He told the Daily Echo: "My knee has been troubling me since Saturday and I haven't been able to get going this week. The physio here said I won't be fit for the Exe-ter game so I'm going back to Reading to see what the manager says.

"I have really enjoyed myself here and I'm very disappointed about the injury. It must be very frustrating for Sean and I feel sorry for him and the club.

"But I know Chris will come in and do a good job. It would be great if he could keep a clean sheet, but I'm sure everybody would agree a victory will be more important."

If Ashdown is ruled out for the rest of his stay, O'Driscoll may be forced to draft in another loan goalkeeper as cover.

O'Driscoll said: "Chris has done well since he came here and hasn't let us down. He's taken the situation in his stride and that's important when you are trying to engender team spirit.

"Both him and Jamie have worked really hard and gelled with the rest of the boys since they have been here."

Cherries are also sweating on the fitness of striker Derek Holmes who has missed training this week after suffering a foot injury at Macclesfield.

Although an X-ray revealed nothing was broken, O'Driscoll is unlikely to risk Holmes unless he trains today.

Shaun Maher looks set to come in at the heart of the Cherries defence, with Karl Broadhurst moving to right-back to deputise for Neil Young who serves a one-match suspension following his red card at Swansea.

Brian Stock is on international duty in Finland with Wales under-21s, while Narada is nursing a dead leg. Exeter include former Cherries star Alex Watson.

Cherries: (from) Tardif, Broad-hurst, Purches, Tindall, Maher, Elliott, Thomas, C Fletcher, Browning, Holmes, Connell, O'Connor, Hayter, Narada, Eribenne, Bloomfield, Foyewa.

Exeter City: (from) Miller, McConnell, Watson, Gaia, Power, Coppinger, Thomas, Cronin, Roscoe, Goodman, Flack, Ampadu, Taylor, Sheldon, Curran, Walker, Fraser.

Cherries entertain Portsmouth in the Football League Under-19 Youth Alliance Cup at Chapel Gate tomorrow (Sept 7), while the under-17s host Exeter (both 11am).