STRIKER Sam Surridge insisted he was relishing the opportunity to step up to the plate for Cherries and added: “It’s a big season for me.”

The 22-year-old made his first league start for Jason Tindall’s side in Friday’s 3-1 Championship victory over Coventry, before this week being drafted into the England under-21 setup.

Academy graduate Surridge has seen leading frontman Callum Wilson depart the Dorset club to join Newcastle over the summer, leaving him to mainly compete with Dominic Solanke to spearhead Cherries’ attack.

And the youngster, who played up front alongside Solanke last time out, is eager to grab his chance following the departure of Wilson.

He told the Daily Echo: “Obviously it’s not good seeing quality players go but, at the same time, it opens up a door for me.

“I want to take the opportunity.

“I had a few opportunities towards the end of last season, thought I did well so, yeah, it’s a big season for me and hopefully I can take it.”

Surridge netted seven times from 23 appearances for Championship Swansea last campaign, before being recalled by Cherries in January.

Asked whether his goals in the second tier gave him confidence, the forward added: “I think that’s the important thing – I know I can do it at this level.

“I am coming back to Bournemouth for the first time probably knowing I can be a starter, whereas before you are trying to work your way into the team.

“Hopefully as the season goes on, I will get some starts and I am looking forward to it.

“We have got a good squad here and it’s strong, we are in a good place at the moment.”

He added: “I think the manager probably knows I want to play and, at the same time, he knows I’m there if he needs me.

“There’s different ideas and the way he wants to play but it’s good. It’s a familiar face, so it’s not too much change in terms of personnel, but it’s new ideas.

“I enjoyed it before but I am looking forward to working with him.”

Former Parley First pupil Surridge could feature for England under-21s when they take on Andorra away from home in a European qualifier today (2pm).

And having already found the net against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup at club level this season, the striker admitted he was pleased to get off the mark.

“It’s a good feeling,” he added.

“I wanted to do it early on in the season, so it doesn’t drag on. You want to get off early and to do it at a place like Manchester City, early on in the season, it can only do me good.”