FORMER Cherries striker Sam Vokes has described his homecoming as a “special moment”.

Lymington-raised Vokes, who left Cherries in 2008, returns to Dean Court for the first time on Saturday with Championship high-fliers Burnley.

The 24-year-old bagged his 16th goal of the season as the Clarets opened a three-point lead in second place with a 1-0 win at Bolton on Tuesday.

Vokes, sold to Wolves for around £300,000 to help fund Cherries’ administration, and fellow Dean Court youth graduate Danny Ings have plundered 40 goals between them this season.

Handed his debut by Kevin Bond as a 17-year-old, former Priestlands schoolboy Vokes notched 16 goals in 59 appearances for Cherries after coming through the ranks under Joe Roach.

Vokes told the club website: “Our away form has been good this season and it has to be if you want to be successful. The game against Bournemouth at Turf Moor was a tough one for us and I am sure it will be again.

“It is a chance for the team to pick up some important points but it will be a strange one for Danny and myself because we know so many people at the club. My time there gave me a good platform to go on and have the career I have up to this point.

“I made my debut just after I had turned 17, played regularly for the first team for two years and then had to leave because of the financial situation – it all happened so fast.

“We have got ourselves into a good position in the league and every game is massive for us at the moment. Coming home for the first time since I left will be a special moment for me.”