CHERRIES wingers beware – Junior Stanislas has ditched his “complacent” streak and is ready for a Second Coming in the Premier League.

The former West Ham protégé, who scored six goals in 41 top-flight appearances for the Hammers, opted to link up with Eddie Howe for a second time last summer despite a contract offer from former club Burnley.

But after six starts in the club’s first 10 Championship fixtures, the 25-year-old was largely consigned to the sidelines by a series of niggling injuries and the fine form of creative catalysts Marc Pugh and Matt Ritchie.

In a candid interview with the Daily Echo, Stanislas admitted he had struggled to accept his bit-part role and vowed to be ready for his return to the big time.

“After getting promoted with Burnley and then deciding to come here, perhaps I got a bit complacent,” said Stanislas.

“I was kicking myself every single day and every single night. I was tearing my hair out. It is the worst thing in the world when you know you’re not injured, you’re fit enough to play and you’re just not being selected.

“It was frustrating to see the boys doing what I wanted to do but they were fantastic all season. Sometimes you just have to support them from the side and when you get your opportunity, do the best you can.

“Hopefully, I can do well this pre-season and show the manager just what I can do. It is only getting harder each year but it is fun.

“It will a good experience for everyone because as a club and as a team, we’re stepping into unknown territory. Everything is a new challenge and I am sure we will relish it.”

And after his taste of the big time at Upton Park, Stanislas cannot wait to sample a subtle change in style compared with the rough and tumble of Championship football.

“By no stretch of the imagination was it easy but it felt like I perhaps clicked a little bit easier in the Premier League,” he added.

“I’m not sure if that was down to being at the club for as long as I was, that I knew the ins and outs. Maybe that relaxed me a bit more.

“But the way we play fits with the Premier League so hopefully, that will stand us in good stead and me in particular.

“I don’t think we will change our style of play. It has been the club’s philosophy for a number of years now to get the ball down and try to play.

“The Premier League is a different ball game and it will be a lot harder but if anything, I think we just need to go harder at what we are already doing and improve that way.

“I don’t see us turning into a long-ball team.”