ANDREW Surman admitted becoming the black sheep would be a risk worth taking if it were to result in Cherries moving a step closer to achieving their seasonal goal.

Surman will be hoping to temporarily upset family and friends by helping Cherries get one over former club and Premier League neighbours Southampton on Saturday.

The 31-year-old progressed through the club’s much-vaunted Academy alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott and made 133 league appearances between 2004 and 2009.

Despite the Saints ties of his nearest and dearest, Surman said his only objective would be to help Cherries claim a first win at St Mary’s, even if it were to plunge the hosts closer to relegation.

Victory for Cherries would secure their top-flight status for a fourth successive season, while defeat for Saints would be a shattering blow in their bid to avoid the drop.

Surman told the Daily Echo: “The main focus for us is to try to get the three points. Whatever were to happen off the back of that would not be in our control.

“We can only turn up and give the best performance. They will be fighting for their lives so it is going to be a tough game.

“If we could reach our target of 47 points then that would be an achievement and I am only focused on us. I want to make sure we reach our goals so we need to be fully focused on our own mission.

“I don’t look at the rivalry and say it would be great to finish about Southampton. That is maybe one for the media.

“We want to make sure we fulfil our potential and reach our goals. We want to finish with more points than last season and still have a chance to do that.”

Midfielder Surman, who started the 0-0 draw at St Mary’s last season, lists Matthew Le Tissier as his Saints idol after seeing him score a hat-trick in the first game he watched at The Dell in 1995.

Asked whether he ever imagined returning to the club in these circumstances, Surman replied: “It is surprising because they are a good team with good players.

“It is a massive club and they had great success in the past two seasons. Unfortunately, good teams with really good players have gone down before from the Premier League.

“But, having said that, they still have four games left and are still in with a fighting chance. They won’t have given up which is why it is going to be so tough.”

Saints have won just one of their past 21 games in the Premier League and recently surrendered leads against both Arsenal and Chelsea.

Surman added: “I know they will have been disappointed to lose both games but they will also take positives. They are a dangerous team and can score goals.

“I have quite a few friends who go to games and they are frustrated with the way the season has gone. But they are hoping they can stay up.”