Surinder Singh route FP and EEA2 application

[emma*c]

Good morning everyone!
My non-EEA spouse has just been issued with an EEA-family permit under Surinder Singh ruling which expires on the 18th of March.

My question is: must he have applied for the EEA2 residence card before the family permit runs out ???

We will be abroad for 3 months and get back to the UK one month after the permit expires - will this have an effect on his EEA2 application?
I worry because of the wording on the EEA2 application form: Did you enter the UK with a valid family permit? By valid I suppose they mean in date?
However, on the UKBA pages they say: ''An EEA family permit is valid for six months. You can stay for longer than 6 months if you’re related to an EEA national as their: spouse or civil partner''

Your help and advice will be greatly appreciated!