CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe insists referees need to help protect Ryan Fraser as the diminutive winger battles the defensive bully boys.

Howe lauded Fraser's durability and attitude in the face of some punishing treatment during Cherries' opening fixtures of the 2013-14 campaign.

The lively wide man has excited supporters with his eye-catching contribution - despite finding himself on the receiving end of some robust tackles from rivals.

Charlton's Bradley Pritchard was sent off on Saturday for his lunge on Fraser, while Portsmouth's Danny East was booked after grounding the flying Scotsman on Tuesday.

Tough tactics are nothing new for Fraser as he earned a reputation as one of the most fouled players in Scottish football during his time at Aberdeen.

Howe admits that the speedster's direct approach could see him get some unwanted attention from his markers this term.

And he believes that both Cherries and match officials must look after the highly-rated teenage prospect.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “The pleasing thing about Ryan is that he gets up, gets on with it and doesn't overly complain.

“He does need protection from referees because the style of play that he has. He is so direct and he is so keen.

“I think some of the tackles on him have been very late and we have got to look after him injury-wise and make sure he is okay from game to game.

“But he was really promising on Tuesday night. I thought he was excellent, especially when he switched wings and went on the right. He is still very young so we have to remember that.”

Asked whether the 19-year-old was left black and blue after matches, Howe replied: “He takes some punishment in training so I don't think we help him as our lads give him a bit of stick, but that is what happens when someone is continually testing defenders and asking questions of defenders at the pace he is doing it.

“He has had a really good pre-season and has come back a lot fitter than he was last season. He had his injury problems at the back end of last season but he is almost like a new signing for us.”

After joining Cherries in a £300,000 January transfer from Aberdeen, Fraser was limited to just five substitute appearances during an injury-interrupted end to Cherries' promotion campaign.

But he has made a bright start this term and his fine form has already earned a call-up to the Scotland under-21 squad for their friendly against England at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane on Tuesday.

Howe added: “It (the international call-up) is fitting reward for his performances because I thought he was one of our best performers in pre-season.

“We are going to dip him in and out this season. He is not going to start every game for us due to his age and development, but he is certainly a player of big potential.”