YOUNGSTER Josh McQuoid will be using fellow Lymington lad Sam Vokes's rapid rise as an inspiration when his own pro career gets under way in August.

Cherries awarded the speedy winger his first senior contract last month after he successfully graduated from the club's youth ranks.

The 18-year-old is now keen to grasp his opportunity and says fellow Priestlands schoolboy Vokes's success gives Cherries' crop of young stars something to aim for.

"It shows how it can happen," McQuoid told the Daily Echo. "It's brilliant for him and young people in football."

Like McQuoid, Welsh striker Vokes started out in the Dean Court club's youth set-up before a string of impressive first-team performances earned a transfer to Championship outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers.

And Cherries' head of youth Joe Roach believes McQuoid could be another star in the making.

Roach told the Echo: "He's had a big learning curve in improving his game and it's probably the reason he's been given the opportunity to get a professional contract.

"He's worked extremely hard and done his education as well. It's not a football thing but it shows his attitude.

"He's got pace, which is always useful, and I think he can get better. If he can take on board what people ask him and consider it as a way of helping him, he can blossom.

"He's a player who has got a lot more to give.

"It's going to be quite interesting to see how he develops working day in, day out with the first-team. I'm quite hopeful for him.

"He can play off the front man - he does that quite well - and he's got the pace to get in behind.

"If he concentrates on his end product as a wide player, which is ultimately crossing the ball, then he'll prove a useful player."

Former Sway Juniors star McQuoid, who appeared eight times for Cherries last season, added: "Joe has been brilliant over the past three years and he's helped me a lot.

"He brings a lot of people through and gives them chances, like the manager in the first-team does."

Meanwhile, central midfielder Danny Hollands is likely to make a decision on his future in the next 48 hours.

The former Chelsea reserve team skipper is considering a new deal from Cherries, while Colchester United are also thought to have offered him terms.