FORMER Cherries midfielder Andrew Surman believes ex-teammate Junior Stanislas played a “massive part” in the club’s recent success.

Last week it was announced that stalwart Stanislas would depart Cherries after nine years of service, with the winger’s contract expiring at the end of June.

Thwarted by a series of injuries across the last two years on the south coast, Surman believes that the winger’s off-the-field contributions were vital for Cherries as they earned Premier League survival last term.

South African-born Surman shared a pitch 65 times with Stanislas, the pair apart of the Cherries side that lifted the Championship in 2015.

Talking on BBC Radio Solent, Surman shared: “Junior, I played with him, he’s a great guy.

“I feel for him, because he’s had loads of injuries and every time he comes back, he’s out again for three months.

“I’m not surprised they kept him around the club, just as a player in the dressing room. Obviously he’s a leader, he’s someone that the players all love.

“That’s important sometimes. Even if a player is not going to play all the time, he has contributed something off the pitch.

“I pay tribute to him, because in my time that I was there and the success we had, he played a massive part in that.

“I wish him well for his next step.”