DETERMINED Sam Surridge admitted it had been “surreal” the journey from academy prospect to fighting for Cherries’ Premier League survival.

The 21-year-old frontman was recalled from his loan spell at Championship Swansea this month, Eddie Howe describing as a “no-brainer” the decision to reunite him with his first-team squad.

As well as previously attending Parley First, Ferndown Middle and Ferndown Upper, the striker had been with Cherries’ academy from a young age, before a two-year break meant he re-joined the system at 14.

Seven years on, the forward is intent on firing Cherries out of the bottom three.

The former Dean Court ball boy could be involved when Howe’s men host Watford in a crucial home battle on Sunday (2pm).

Asked about going from academy graduate to possible Premier League saviour, Surridge told the Daily Echo: “It’s surreal, but obviously at the same time I’ve got a job at hand to kind of come in and help the team, so that’s what I want to try to do.

“It’s a big few games for the club. The run that we’ve got going, we need to get points and I’m looking forward to it. I’m sure a lot of the players who are going to come back fit are looking forward to it.

“For the past few years I think it’s never been, we want to stay up. We’ve always set targets, especially when I’ve been here in pre-season, they’ve set targets of what they want to do.

“They’re not reaching them obviously at the moment but you never know. A few wins and then you just fly back up the table and then everything gets forgotten about.

“I’m sure we’ll turn it around. It doesn’t take a lot of points to get back up the table.”

Surridge, who last week penned a new contract at Cherries, was an unused substitute in the Dorset club’s 4-0 FA Cup third-round success over Luton on Saturday.

Both Callum Wilson and Dominic Solanke recaptured their scoring touch.

But the England under-21 international is keen to prove his worth to boss Howe and in turn earn more top-flight minutes.

“I don’t think he (Howe) can promise anyone game time because I think he wants to see how I am,” said Surridge.

“But he’s seen I’ve been doing well and I think he wants me to do what I’ve been doing out on loan and bring it back here. If I can do that I’m sure I’ll play.”