SEAN O'Driscoll has given his backing to Wade Elliott staying on as Cherries' penalty-taker.

Elliott became the latest victim of Cherries' penalty jinx when he blazed a crucial last-minute spot-kick over the crossbar during the 2-2 draw at Reading on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old followed in the footsteps of Richard Hughes, Steve Fletcher and Warren Feeney who have all blundered from the spot as Cherries have missed eight of their last 17 penalties.

Following his clanger at the Madejski Stadium, Elliott vowed he would not shirk responsibility for Cherries' next penalty and today received the full support of his manager.

O'Driscoll said: "I can't force a player to take a penalty if he's not confident and if Wade is confident, he will have my backing.

"He was practising them all morning on Tuesday and was confidence enough to step forward to take it at Reading.

"Unfortunately, he changed his mind and decided to blast it when he's never blasted one before in training, but that's a learning experience for him - you play as you train and train as you play.

"I would be delighted if Wade scored a penalty tomorrow because it would take some bottle. I know if we get one everybody will be behind him."

O'Driscoll is likely to name an unchanged squad for Cherries' vital relegation showdown again-st Division Two rivals Northamp-ton at Dean Court tomorrow.

And with just three points separating Cherries from the Cobblers, victory would haul O'Driscoll's side out of the bottom four by virtue of their superior goal difference.

O'Driscoll, whose side have slipped into the mire after winning just one of their last 19 league games, added: "The players don't need me telling them it's a big game.

"All they can do is be committed and if they walk off the pitch saying they've done all they can and people can see that, they can hold their heads up and say we gave everything we had."

Midfielder Richard Hughes is again expected to be sidelined after suffering a reaction to his hamstring injury in training, while Brian Stock and Carl Fletcher are also still missing.

O'Driscoll said: "Richard trained on Monday with a view to playing at Reading and it was a calculated gamble, but unfortunately he didn't feel he was ready.

"It's a bit like Warren Feeney. He was on the bench against Peterborough because I didn't want to use him. If he makes his injury worse, it would put us in an even bigger hole than we are in already. We are in a similar situation with Neil Young. He's been out for 16 months and all of a sudden I'm bouncing him back into games left, right and centre which is not ideal."

Cherries: (from) Stewart, Young, Howe, Maher, Purches, Tindall, O'Connor, Elliott, Hayter, Feeney, Holmes, Thomas, McAnespie, Ford, Eribenne, Kandol, Foyewa, Menetrier.

Northampton: (from) Welch, Marsh, Burgess, Hope, Spedding, Hunter, Hunt, Hargreaves, McGregor, Gabbiadini, Forrester, Sampson, Frain, Hodge, Carruthers, Asamoah, Parkin, Sollitt.