ANDREW Surman says he owes a “massive amount” to Eddie Howe for the “belief” the Cherries boss invests in him.

 

Midfielder Surman admitted it felt “weird” returning to the team for the win over Swansea after serving a one-match ban following his sending off in Cherries’ explosive clash with Manchester United.

 

The first suspension of the 30-year-old’s 12-year, 394-game career coincided with his side securing a crucial 3-2 victory over West Ham.

 

But with Harry Arter ruled out of Saturday’s meeting with the Swans it was Surman who got the nod to start, ahead of Jack Wilshere.

 

Surman told the Daily Echo: “It felt a bit weird coming back into the team.

 

“I missed that one game we played really well in against West Ham. But it was good to be back and involved in a win again.

 

“I owe a massive amount to the manager. Since I have been here he has shown an enormous amount of belief in me and I hope I have repaid that.

 

"The manager trusts every player he has in his squad.

 

“It doesn’t matter if you have been playing or not, he will chuck you in if he thinks it is the right thing to do for the team.”

 

Cherries overcame the blow of Surman’s dismissal to earn a point at Old Trafford on March 4, having started the day four points above the Premier League’s bottom three.

 

And the successive victories that followed that 1-1 draw brought to a halt a run of eight top-flight matches without a win.

 

“It is crazy,” said Surman. “If you looked at us a month ago, we hadn’t won in ages.

 

“The second half performance at Manchester United was amazing and that kick started us.

 

“We knew we were perilously close to the bottom three and when you are down there you need to be able to dig in. You cannot carry anyone.

 

“We showed that against United and that has carried on in the past two games.

 

“We knew how big these games were and the lads have dug in and ground out the results.”

 

Surman and captain Simon Francis both started every game in Cherries’ maiden Premier League campaign last season.

 

The lone remaining ever-present this term, however, is Steve Cook, whose consistently excellent form has reportedly caught the attention of England boss Gareth Southgate.

 

Cook's stunning double block on shots from Swansea pair Luciano Narsingh and Wayne Routledge contributed significantly to Cherries' success at the weekend.

 

“Cookie has been magnificent this season,” said Surman.

 

“He has not put a foot wrong. You see it in the stats. He has made more clearances than anyone in Europe’s top leagues and he has been a real rock for us.

 

"Blocking shots at one end like he did against Swansea can lead to you having a chance at the other end and that is what happened, so credit to him.

 

"He has been an ever-present and performed absolutely brilliantly. Cookie has a great attitude to defending.”