WEYMOUTH boss Jason Matthews has sprung a late surprise by announcing the signing of striker Sam Surridge ahead of his team's Boxing Day derby clash with Dorchester Town.

Signed on a one-month youth loan from AFC Bournemouth, the promising frontman is expected to go straight into the Terras' squad for their festive fixture against the Magpies at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Surridge is set to act as cover for Weymouth's Ben Thomson, who suffered a grade one hamstring tear against St Neots last Saturday.

The Cherries’ youngster was included in Bournemouth's squad that visited Preston in the Capital One Cup in September.

Matthews told Echosport: “It was a nice surprise that Bournemouth agreed to let us have Sam for a month.

“Sam is probably something we haven’t got with Tommo being injured and I just felt that going into the Christmas period with only two fit strikers was a little bit of a gamble.

“It’s really nice to have him on board for a month and I am sure he will do well for us.”