BOSS Eddie Howe hailed the “incredible attitude” of Sam Surridge and believes the on-loan striker had been physically and mentally ready for the Championship.

The Cherries academy graduate netted his first goal in England’s second tier for Swansea on Wednesday, after coming off the bench at Queen’s Park Rangers.

He headed home a cross from Andre Ayew to seal a 3-1 victory for Steve Cooper’s side.

The 21-year-old is due to spend the whole of 2019-20 with the Championship outfit but Cherries have an option to recall him in January.

Surridge featured in all six of Cherries' first-team friendlies during pre-season, netting in a 3-1 win over Brentford at Griffin Park last month.

Asked about the youngster featuring in the Championship this campaign, Howe told the Daily Echo: “It’s a huge test for him but one that I think he is ready for mentally and physically.

“I really like the player. A great lad, incredible attitude – really wants to do well and achieve.

“I felt if he wasn’t going to be a regular player here then a loan spell would do him the world of good.

“I think he’s picked a really good club, a progressive manager in what is such a difficult league.

“It will be a really good experience for him.”

Frontman Surridge has experienced a range of loan spells throughout his career.

He started in non-league at Weymouth and Poole Town before stepping into the Football League with Yeovil and Oldham.

The former Parley First, Ferndown Middle and Ferndown Upper School pupil was recalled from his spell with the League Two Latics last season, having scored 12 goals in 20 appearances.

“Sam has attacked each loan with the attitude he’s shown when he has come back here,” said Howe.

“He has wanted to improve every day, has pushed himself to try to get closer to our strikers, who are at a very high level, and I think he’ll do the same at Swansea.

“The loan experiences, whether they are good or bad, are sometimes invaluable for a player’s education.”

Surridge made his Premier League debut last season, coming off the bench in a 5-1 defeat at Arsenal in February.