DEVELOPMENT coach Stephen Purches has warned his Cherries youngsters to adjust quickly and avoid being left behind by the club’s success.

Cherries celebrated all but securing Premier League status for the first time in its history after Monday’s 3-0 victory over Bolton less than three years after boss Eddie Howe returned to a club languishing in the League One relegation zone.

In that time, Cherries have also seen their development set-up increase in size and stature with rising stars Baily Cargill and Harry Cornick making their first-team debuts this season.

But on the back of unparalleled progress for the senior stars, Purches admits his troops will have to step up to the plate if they are to establish themselves in Howe’s top flight plans.

Purches told the Daily Echo: “Some of these lads have been in the system for a long time and seen us transform from a struggling League One side to where we are now. All of a sudden you’re a young professional at a Premier League club.

“I don’t know if many of them even imagined that would be the case but they must get used to it.

“Life becomes easier in some aspects but definitely a lot harder in others. The gulf is massive so they have to prove themselves to be something pretty special if they want to push on now.

“You have to embrace it and that’s all you can do. These lads just have to look at the massive opportunity in front of them and go out and grab it if they can.”

Purches, who dedicated more than a decade of his playing career across two spells with Cherries, admitted the prospect of Premier League football had seemed “unthinkable” when he graced the Dean Court turf.

“Just to be associated with this group of players, management, staff and fans at a time like this is very special,” he added.

“It is so hard to put into words how you feel. The emotion of achieving this from where we were is pretty overpowering and not down to luck. A lot of hard graft has gone in at every level of the club and the players especially deserve all the credit.

“It is one of those situations you just cannot imagine. What was the dream for this club? What was realistic?

“Dreams so rarely come true because they are often beyond your grasp but this club has proved that these things can happen and in the best way possible.

“There has been investment but you still need to put together the right mix in terms of your management and playing staff. Success does not come from one person or one factor, it is a collective effort. We cannot wait for the challenge that lies ahead.”