ROOKIE forward Josh McQuoid is eager to impress Cherries boss Kevin Bond if given the opportunity to play more first-team football tomorrow.

The 17-year-old youth team star made a cameo appearance for Cherries on Tuesday night when he replaced Brett Pitman in the 64th minute against MK Dons.

And the prospect, who soon settled into the action against Paul Ince's side, insists he is working hard to catch the eye and nail down a more regular spot in the senior squad.

"I was pleased to get in the squad recently. It was good to get a chance and a run-out," McQuoid told the Daily Echo.

Bond could spring a shock by throwing McQuoid into the fray at Hartlepool, with strikers Lee Bradbury (suspended) and Sam Vokes (international duty) both unavailable for the trip to the North East.

If picked again for Bond's team, young star McQuoid, who joined Cherries as an under-14 following a season with Southampton, is hoping to make the most of his opportunity.

He said: "I'm fit and ready to go if the gaffer picks me.

"I'll just see what happens and take it in my stride. I'm not hoping for anything too big, I just try my best.

"I try and get noticed playing for the youth team and by doing well. If I get my chance, I'll work hard to do my best and try to impress."

McQuoid drew inspiration from old Priestlands school-mate Vokes, who has progressed from the youth ranks into the first team recently.

"It's proving that it can be done," he said.

"At the beginning of the year the boys thought it wasn't going to happen that quickly, but it just proves it can happen in a matter of months. It makes you try harder."

As well as using the example set by Vokes, McQuoid also looks up to two of Cherries' senior players, pointing to the "work rate" of Bradbury, as well as the "hard work" of skipper and former England international Darren Anderton.

McQuoid, from Lymington, also enjoyed the chance of playing in front of the Sky Sports cameras in midweek, something he will do again if selected for tomorrow's trip to Hartlepool.

He added: "It was the first time I've seen myself on TV. It was good and exciting."