BAILY Cargill admits he will always have a soft spot for St James Park as he prepares to return to his happy hunting ground.

The young defender made his full Cherries debut in the 2-0 League Cup win at Exeter almost exactly 11 months ago.

Cargill’s third Football League outing also came at Exeter while on loan at Torquay, the centre-half helping the Gulls to a 2-1 win in League Two.

And the Dean Court youth product revealed that a warm-up game in Devon tomorrow (3pm) would revive good memories of some of his proudest days.

Cargill told the Daily Echo: “When I saw we were playing Exeter I immediately thought it was where I had made my debut and that I had played there twice competitively.

“My Bournemouth debut blurs into one or two moments. I remember walking out at the start and immediately after being relieved that I had done okay but that’s it!

“I’m looking forward to going back. It was a good experience making my debut there and is something I will never forget, so I guess the stadium does hold a bit of a soft spot in my heart.

“If I get on the pitch, I will forget about the sentimental value of the place but of course it will be nice to go back there.”

Cargill and his team-mates returned from their US training camp on Wednesday having put in plenty of hard graft ahead of their inaugural Premier League season.

Cherries rounded off the trip with a 4-1 victory over Major League Soccer outfit Philadelphia Union and Cargill felt the trip across the Atlantic had been a useful exercise.

He continued: “It was good for us. It was an enjoyable time and we got a lot of work in. I think the heat helped a lot with what the gaffer was trying to do and all the lads have come back a lot fitter.

“We had the opportunity to see some amazing sights in Philadelphia so it was really worthwhile.

“We had the time to ourselves and there weren’t the usual distractions of being at home, we just concentrated on getting fit for the season.

“I think the Philadelphia game was good because it meant everyone could get their legs going without playing too long. I thought we played quite well as a team but there are still things to work on.”

Cargill feels pre-season has given the whole Cherries squad a new lease of life.

He added: “The guys that have come in can integrate and show the gaffer what they can do.

“It’s also good for existing squad members because it’s a fresh start, so we can again show him what we’re about.”