MIDFIELD star Shaun MacDonald is confident Cherries will succeed in the Championship – if they can reproduce the form which sealed promotion.

MacDonald is relishing the prospect of stepping up a level next season after playing his part in helping Cherries reach the second tier of English football.

The former Swansea City midfielder started 19 times and made nine substitute appearances as Cherries recovered from a slow start to finish second in League One.

MacDonald, 24, also had a memorable season from a personal perspective as he put pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half year contract with the club in January.

Welshman Mac-Donald, a boyhood Swansea supporter, says the only downside is that he will not get the chance to face Cardiff after they secured a place in the Premier League.

MacDonald told the club website: “I am gutted that Cardiff got promoted. Not only are they Swansea’s rivals but now there are no Welsh teams for us to play in the Championship. Getting to the Premier League is now the next step for us to look forward to, so then I can face them.

“Being successful in the Championship is the goal and, if we carry on like we did this season, there is no reason why we won’t be.”

MacDonald took the difficult decision to quit hometown club Swansea when he joined Cherries in August 2011. But the ex-Yeovil Town loanee says he has no regrets about making the move.

MacDonald added: “Everything around the club suited the way I wanted to play my football.

“I remember looking around the place and meeting the lads and everything just felt right. It is hard to explain because until you actually go and have a look around on the first day, it is weird. You have to get a feel for things and, instantly, I thought this club could go places.

“It was the right decision to move away from my hometown club, as much as I love Swansea. I still look out for their results and they still have a special place in my heart, but I got to a stage in my career I knew I had to leave and go and play games and take the next step.

“I don’t think any other club suited me the way it did the first day I came here. I look back and have no regrets. We got promoted, we have a special manager and a special team and it has worked out well. I feel that coming to Bournemouth was the best decision of my career so far.”