STRIKER Tokelo Rantie has lifted the lid on how his Cherries family rallied round to dispel his loneliness during a difficult second season in England.

The South Africa international, who made the big money move from Swedish club Malmo in August 2013, has yet to start a Championship fixture this season with 12 substitute appearances and two goals to his name in the league.

Rantie revealed he had endured a tough time living away from fiancée Gaositwe, 24, and son Kutlwano, who celebrates his first birthday on March 31, back in his homeland.

But in an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Rantie explained his club colleagues had lifted his spirits and that extra training with boss Eddie Howe had helped him to envisage a brighter future at Dean Court.

“It has been a difficult period for me personally,” said the 24-year-old. “For a long time I pretended I was the only one with no one to turn to.

“But since I accepted the help of the gaffer and my team-mates I have managed to turn bad situations into positives and in my mind, things have become much easier.

“It is hard for my fiancée to come over because she has commitments in South Africa, so knowing the team is here for me has opened my eyes. I know I can turn somewhere if I need help or someone to talk to.

“I think I have wasted a lot of time dwelling on being lonely but that is not a problem anymore and there is a new task ahead. It is exciting because I can see the results of my extra training at the moment.

“I just wish I had done it a long time ago because maybe things would be different now. I have a manager who is willing to do anything for me and fantastic team-mates who are willing to assist me every day at training. They are my family here.

“As much as I am not getting game time, I am excited because now I see things differently. I have the opportunity to become a better player and that is my motivation at the moment. It has erased all the bad feelings and negative thoughts.”

Discussing his increased training schedule, Rantie added: “I have been working hard and taking extra training with the gaffer for the past two weeks and I have not felt this good for a long time.

“I have confidence in myself and I think it is paying off. In the little time I played against Blackpool I felt brighter and more motivated.

“If I keep doing these things every day then there will be possibilities for me in the final seven games to maybe get more minutes.”