RESILIENT Wes Fogden is adamant he can make up for lost time and cut it in League One – after earning his Cherries chance the hard way.

The versatile playmaker has made a promising start to his Seward Stadium career since being signed from non-league Havant & Waterlooville.

Fogden, who penned a three-year contract earlier this month, was a lively performer on his full debut in the 1-1 draw at Colchester following three substitute appearances.

Tuesday night saw Fogden complete his long journey back into the pro ranks as he made his first start in the Football League following a near four-year absence after leaving Brighton.

And the 23-year-old believes he is now stronger and better placed to succeed after recovering from a health scare early in his career and going on to learn his trade in the semi-professional game with Dorchester and Havant.

Discussing whether he felt he was ready to make the grade in the third tier, Fogden told the Daily Echo: “Yes, definitely, I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t.

“It is a lot quicker – I knew that from when I made my few appearances at Brighton. It is just trying to adapt and, hopefully, it will come together for me.”

Fogden continued: “Coming into full-time football again, it is quite difficult to adapt, body wise.

“But as the weeks have gone on, I have felt fitter and stronger. I have loved every minute of it so far.

“I was full-time for about four years at Brighton. I was younger back then and didn’t fully develop. But now I feel good and my fitness is coming along. Hopefully, I will just keep pushing on and getting fitter.”

Fogden is determined to make his mark with Cherries after overcoming major surgery during his early days at Brighton, having been diagnosed with a benign tumour on his spine.

He said: “I was still young when I had those problems and did well to come back from them.

“I made a few first-team appearances and then there was a change of manager. I was still young and he wanted experienced players.

“I just wanted to play games after the time I had out. I wanted to play football because you never know when it is going to go.

“Through the injury, I definitely felt myself maturing. It was a lot to take in at the time. I feel better and stronger for what happened.”

He added: “Going part-time was difficult but I just got on with it, kept my head down and worked hard for the teams I played for.

“I always wanted to get back into full-time football but just concentrated on what I had to do for my part-time teams. I kept doing that and it gave me the opportunity and now I have come to Bournemouth.”