 After serving a one match suspension, Elphick returned to the first team, where he continued to be a regular.However, in a 3–2 loss against Southend United on 19 September 2009, Elphick was at fault when he gave away a ball to Francis Laurent, who scored a winning in the last minute.Because of this, Elphick's first team place became under threat under Slade, but continued to remain nevertheless.