MARC Pugh is desperate to rediscover his best for Cherries after admitting his form had dipped at the end of last season - as he bravely played on with a broken foot.

Pugh helped Cherries embark on a club record run of eight successive wins despite sustaining a fracture to his left foot during a 4-1 victory over Bury in March.

And although the winger had been feeling the effects of the injury during the early part of pre-season, he had his first taste of action against Portsmouth before featuring for 90 minutes against Bristol City.

Pugh told the Daily Echo: “I got kicked three times on the same spot against Bury. I had an ultrasound scan about a week later and it showed a small chip on the bone. I wanted to play through it because we were chasing promotion. It was my decision and nobody forced me.

“I had another scan at the end of the season and the surgeon said I had fractured it but that it had healed well. I was left with some fluid at the back of the ankle and I had an injection a week ago to settle it down.

“It was painful but I could play through it because it wasn't going to get any worse. It was great to still be playing and helping the team but it was affecting my performance slightly.

"I try to set my standards as high as possible and, on a personal level, I wasn't at my best. Fortunately, the team were doing brilliantly and that was the main thing. I was just glad to get through it.”

Pugh, who played through the pain barrier for the final six games, also ended months of speculation last season when he penned a new contract with the club just weeks after Eddie Howe had returned as manager.

The 26-year-old, leading goalscorer in his first two seasons at Dean Court and Daily Echo-Micky Cave supporters' player of the year in 2012, had always made no secret of his desire to showcase his talents in the Championship - with promotion vindicating his decision to sign.

Pugh, who has so far only plied his trade in League One and League Two, added: “I have always wanted to test myself in the Championship. I believe I am good enough and now it is a question of trying to prove that.

“It is okay saying you think you can play in the Championship but, if you don't perform then effectively you are talking a load of rubbish. Hopefully, I can inspire the team and the team can inspire me and we can have a good season.

“We are not going into the Championship just to make up the numbers and, hopefully, we can have as good a run as we did in League One last season.”