CHERRIES star Adam Smith insists he will not look back in anger – despite seeing best friend Ryan Mason secure a second senior England call-up.

The former-England under-21 full-back joined Tottenham at the tender age of seven and quickly forged a close bond with midfielder Mason as the duo progressed through the youth ranks at White Hart Lane.

After a series of loan spells, Smith opted to join Cherries in a deal understood to be worth £250,000 during January 2014 while Mason temporarily plied his trade with League One Swindon.

But a successful pre-season under new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino saw Mason selected for the Three Lions just six months after his Premier League debut.

Conversely, Smith struggled to displace key man Simon Francis at Cherries but played a more advanced role as the Championship drew to its dramatic climax.

And having helped Eddie Howe’s men reach the top flight for the first time, the flexible defender still harbours international hopes – even if he accepts it could take time.

Smith told the Daily Echo: "Ryan is my best mate and I played with him at Spurs since I was seven. We went through the whole academy process together and were usually among the better players in the youth teams.

“I left before they had the change of manager. Since then, Pochettino has given a lot of youngsters their chance at Tottenham and Ryan proved he could handle it in the Premier League.

“Had I been given that chance, I feel confident I would have taken it but it wasn’t to be. I’m a big believer that things happen for a reason and now I am in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

“I have no regrets and don’t believe in thinking like that. You cannot control the past and I am just looking ahead now. I will be very excited to go back and, if selected, play at White Hart Lane next season.

“It would be nice to go there and prove a point but that is one for the future, the key thing at the moment is resting well and preparing for the challenge ahead.”

On Mason, who was yesterday named in England’s 24-man squad to face Republic of Ireland and Slovenia next month, Smith added: “I’m not surprised at how well he is doing. He is quite calm and mature for his age with a wise head on his shoulders.

“He knows what he wants and I know how hard he has worked to achieve it. He deserves every bit of his success and is a great player.

“Ryan has played a season in the Premier League and has already made his England debut so it gives me hope that I can too.

“It is everyone’s dream to play for their country and I was proud to represent every age group up to under-21s. Playing for the senior team is still a big dream of mine but that is a long way off at the moment, I just have to concentrate on doing well for Bournemouth on a regular basis.”