SAM Surridge admits "I need time to get my sharpness back" after making his first league start in almost 10 months at the weekend.

Cherries loanee Surridge lined up for Swansea City and played 77 minutes of their 1-1 draw at Barnsley in the Championship.

The 21-year-old had previously been limited to seven appearances off the bench for the Swans, with his last league start coming in League Two for Oldham Athletic in a 6-0 loss at Carlisle United on Boxing Day.

Surridge had the chance to net his second goal for Swansea at Oakwell, but was denied by goalkeeper Brad Collins.

Discussing his first Championship start, the striker told the Swansea website: "I felt like it could have gone better because I did have a good chance to score.

"I just need to keep working hard and, hopefully, more chances will follow for me. On another day, I would have taken it.

"I need time to get my sharpness back. I want to try and cement my place in the team and see what I can do.

"I feel like if I get a good run then I can start scoring goals and helping the team."

Surridge this month made his international debut, featuring and scoring for England's under-21s against Slovenia.

The youngster admits the call-up took him by surprise.

"It was absolutely brilliant," said Surridge.

"I didn't expect at all. It was an amazing experience and gave me a lot of confidence. It was great to mark my debut with a goal. I was just in the right place at the right time.

"It was my first call-up of any kind.

"The only way I'm going to get another opportunity is by taking my chances at Swansea. I'm now focused on the next few games and getting more opportunities.

"I'm sure I'll produce when they come."

Elsewhere fellow loanees Emerson Hyndman and Brad Smith have both progressed into the MLS play-off quarter-finals.

Hyndman played 65 minutes before being replaced by Florentin Pogba in Atlanta United's 1-0 win over New England Revolution, while Brad Smith played 67 minutes of Seattle Sounders' thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory against FC Dallas.

Seattle face Real Salt Lake in the last eight while Atlanta take on Philadelphia Union.

Jermain Defoe played 10 minutes of Rangers' 1-1 draw at Hearts and Asmir Begovic played the full game as Qarabag drew 1-1 with Gabala.

Kyle Taylor was an unused substitute for Forest Green against Mansfield, Harry Arter featured in Fulham's loss at Stoke, while Mikael Ndjoli started as Gillingham lost at home to Peterborough.