CHERRIES star Charlie Daniels says ex-Tottenham duo Martin Jol and Gareth Bale helped shape his future career.

Daniels, who left White Hart Lane in 2009, is set to face his former club when Cherries host Spurs in the Premier League on Sunday (2.05pm kick-off).

The 29-year-old spent six years with the north London outfit and was converted from winger to full-back by Jol during his time as manager between 2004 and 2007.

Daniels, who cost Cherries just £175,000 when he signed from Leyton Orient in 2012, also spent time on the training pitch with Bale following his arrival from Southampton.

Although Bale made an indifferent start at Spurs, he went on to become one of the most sought-after players in the world, eventually joining Real Madrid for around £85million in 2013.

In contrast to Daniels, Bale started out at left-back before ex-Cherries boss Harry Redknapp gave him a more attacking role during his tenure as Spurs boss.

Daniels said: “He signed when I was coming through. I was in the reserves at the time and it would be fair to say he didn’t have the greatest of starts to his Tottenham career.

“But you could see the potential was there and how good he was technically and how much he wanted to work on his game. He was one of the players I saw and wanted to copy.

“I still watch his game. He plays in a different position now but I like to see what he does and try to emulate some of the key things.

“We are similar in stature and are both left footed. He is a great player and you can’t fail to learn from him. His pace and power are unbelievable. It is nice to have someone you can watch and he has been an inspiration to me.”

Essex-born Daniels is a product of Ridgeway Rovers, the renowned youth team made famous for discovering David Beckham and current Spurs striker Harry Kane.

He added: “I was scouted as a winger before Martin Jol moved me to left-back. It was tough at the start because I just wanted to go forward all the time.

“It was a great learning curve with the defending and the positioning. I feel I have become a good left-back and am pleased he told me to play there. It was a good career move for me.”

Daniels, who missed just four games as Cherries won promotion last season, was asked whether he thought his chance of playing in the top flight had gone after he had left Spurs.

He said: “I didn’t think that way really. I always wanted to play in the Premier League and always felt I was good enough. I have taken a bit of a long way round but I got there in the end.”