AFC BOURNEMOUTH boss Andoni Iraola believes Dango Ouattara is becoming more of a “complete player” as he adds defensive nous to his game.

Midway through the season Cherries turned to Burkina Faso international Ouattara to moonlight at left-back after an injury crisis in the position ruled out Milos Kerkez and Lloyd Kelly.

Last weekend Ouattara was again deployed at left-back, injuries at centre-half tying Kelly to a centre-back role whilst full-back Kerkez served the first game of a three-match ban.

Asked if Ouattara was now viewed as a full-back in his plans, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “For me, Dango is a winger, but he has the skills to be a left-back also.

“And the thing with Dango is probably we haven't proven him enough to consider him a proper fullback because he has played (very little at left-back).

“So the amount of games we have, it's not big enough to say he is a proven full-back.

“No, I think he has the qualities and the skills and the knowledge of things to be a good full-back.

“But I know that these are very good, winger is the only thing I can tell you.

“He is a very good winger, he can play in other positions.

“He plays also as a number nine with his national team.

“They use him as a number nine and he can play some minutes there for sure because he has done it with them.

“But it's a matter of finding the best position for him and for the team.”

Ouattara often finds himself out of position on the training pitch, with the Burkinabe having to make up the numbers at left-back from time-to-time.

However, Iraola feels that the former FC Lorient man could only become a better player by adding defensive skills to his game.

“It's sometimes something mandatory for him,” replied Iraola when asked whether Ouattara trains as a left-back during the week.

“We tell him: ‘Today, you have to be the left-back’.

“Some exercises, we don't close them too much so they can take their positions.

“And normally he goes winger because he's an attacking player, he wants to score goals.

“He has that in his side.

“But I think he also, has understood that if he adds this defensive work, this defensive awareness, he can be a more complete player.

“That would be good for us, but also for him personally.”