ANDREW Surman believes former club Southampton will be desperate to banish the memory of midweek agony when they face Cherries on Sunday.

Saints were subjected to a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City after Raheem Sterling struck in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.

Cherries suffered a similar fate at the hands of Pep Guardiola's side in August, with Sterling netting a last-gasp winner at Vitality Stadium.

Midfielder Surman expects an instant reaction from the 11th-place Saints when they arrive in Dorset (1.30pm).

He told the Daily Echo: "I'm sure they will recover quickly. We felt that earlier in the season so we know how they feel.

"Whenever you get beaten, there is always a reaction so I'm sure they will have that on Sunday.

"They will probably be disappointed not to be further up the league but they are still in a good position. They are a big club and have a good team, so I'm sure they will be fine.

"They are all big games and this one is extra special because it is a derby. We have to make sure we are better than we were against Burnley and do enough to get a result.

"In this league, if you don't play at your highest level, you aren't going to pick up points."