JOE Quigley says he goes to bed every night “buzzing” with excitement because he will be playing football the following day.

The determined young Cherries striker has defied expectations by returning to action only six months after suffering a serious knee injury while on loan at Gillingham.

And after playing 58 minutes of Cherries under-21s' Central League game at Cheltenham on Tuesday, Quigley has headed back to the Gills to play his part in a League One survival battle.

Quigley told the Daily Echo: “As soon as my surgeon told me I would be out for six to nine months, I set my sights on being back in six months.

“There were some long days, some tough times and tough weeks but the hard work was definitely worth it.

"I’ve had so long out that I’m buzzing when I go to bed at night thinking, ‘I will get to play football tomorrow’. I can’t wait to go and train every day.”

Quigley, who last month penned a contract to tie him to Cherries until the end of next season, damaged his anterior cruciate ligament playing for Gillingham against Bury in August.

That was only the 20-year-old’s third Football League appearance following loan spells with non-league sides Torquay, Wrexham, Woking and Poole Town.

Despite his eagerness to get back to the Gills – who secured Quigley's return until the end of this campaign on January's transfer deadline day – the player believed his run-out against a seasoned Cheltenham rearguard had been just what the doctor ordered.

He said: “It felt really good. I didn’t think about my knee at all.

“It was a physical test against big, older players but I came through fine and, sharpness-wise, I am getting there.

“I could have gone back to Gillingham last week but Bournemouth said to hold back and play against Cheltenham.

“The club and the medical team have been fantastic through my entire recovery period.

“And that was another great decision they made because now I am definitely ready to go and play.”

Quigley will work under Ady Pennock at Gillingham after the former Cherries centre-half replaced Justin Edinburgh in the Priestfield hotseat earlier this year.

But he does not envisage experiencing any problems bedding back in – and the 6ft 4in forward appreciates feeling valued again.

“I have spoken to him (Pennock) quite a lot,” said Quigley. "And I know all the lads so I will settle in quickly.

“It is great that Gillingham are putting their faith in me. I will do my best for them and try to score plenty of goals. That is what will help them move up the table.

“It was tough knowing l wouldn't play for so long. You go under the radar, your phone goes quiet, not a lot of people are texting you.

“But once I got my head round my situation I didn’t struggle with it at all. I got used to it and now I'm just focused on playing games.”