JAMES Hill believes he is ready to fight for a starting spot at Cherries following his recall from loan at Blackburn Rovers, stating: “I’m not the same boy that walked through the doors when I was a young 19-year-old."

Cherries snapped up Hill from Fleetwood Town two years ago this January, with the highly-rated prospect on the fringes of the first-team squad at Vitality Stadium during his time on the south coast so far.

Last season he finished the campaign on loan at Scottish Premiership side Hearts, before making another temporary switch to Championship side Blackburn last summer.

But with injuries hampering Cherries’ backline, Hill was recalled to bolster head coach Andoni Iraola’s options.

Max Aarons looks set to return to the treatment room after pulling up with a hamstring complaint in Sunday’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool, whilst Lloyd Kelly was only fit enough to be named on the bench.

Also on the sidelines are defenders Adam Smith, Ryan Fredericks, and Milos Kerkez.

Asked if he felt prepared for life in the Premier League following his loan in the second tier, Hill told the Daily Echo: “100 per cent.

"I said in a previous interview that I think my time at Hearts and my time at Blackburn, it's really helped me.

“I can say probably that I'm not the same boy that walked through the doors when I was a young 19-year-old boy stepping into the Bournemouth set up, and I feel like those teams have really helped me.

“That loan spell has really helped me to prove myself again and really add to my game different things, playing right-back and centre-back.

"It's really helped me to understand the game a little bit better.

“That has really benefited me in terms of coming back in and supporting the boys.”

Hill was instantly thrust into the starting line-up against Liverpool, playing 55 minutes in an unfamiliar position of left-back in the 4-0 defeat.

“My first ever time playing left-back, but I give massive credit to the staff at Bournemouth," said Hill.

“They've been superb with me, in coaching me and how to play that position.

“Little things, they gave me great info before the game and what I needed to look out for.

“I went to the boys as well in the dressing room, they really coached me through the game as well as just trying to keep it simple as well, not trying to do anything complicated.

“I think it really benefited me out there.

“I thought I'd done all right for my first ever Premier League start.”

Now attention switches to Thursday night’s game against Swansea in the FA Cup, with Hill feeling prepared to go again if called upon.

“That's the thing, we've always got to make sure we're ready,” continued the 21-year-old.

“No matter who it is, no matter the personnel, we've always got to be ready to step in and do a job.

“But I think that Swansea game it's another opportunity to try and fight for a shirt.

“But another great proud moment if you are able to, to put the shirt on and play and represent the club.

“So I'm looking forward to hopefully having another start.”