CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe believes Ryan Fraser is “heading in the right direction” as he looks to make further progress on the international stage.

Howe says delivering the goods for his club on a consistent basis could see the exciting winger earn a call up to the full Scotland squad.

Fraser was on target in Scotland’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier on Thursday and will again be hoping to feature when they meet Luxembourg today.

Capped five times by his country at under-21 level, the 20-year-old has made 52 appearances since Howe signed him in a £400,000 move from Aberdeen in January 2013.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Ryan came back in the summer and has looked fitter and stronger than last season. I think he has so much potential.

“I would love to see him really kick on this season and, first and foremost, demand more game time with us through his performances. If he performs well for us then the Scotland call will not be too far away and he is definitely heading in the right direction.”

Fraser is one of three Cherries players currently on international duty with striker Tokelo Rantie involved in South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and goalkeeper Benji Buchel in the Lichtenstein squad for their opening European Championship qualifier against Russia.

Howe added: “We have mixed feelings when players go on international duty because we are not in control of them. When you are not in control of their training and what they are doing there is a certain amount of fear because their countries only see them once every two or three months and they don’t know the players as well as we do.

“But in terms of the actual playing experience and all the things that brings, I think it is great for them to go. I would always encourage my players to go and, hopefully, they will come back better for that experience.”

Meanwhile, Howe also believes Eunan O’Kane is edger closer to a return to the Republic of Ireland squad following the midfielder’s impressive start to the campaign.

O’Kane, capped at under-21 level by both Northern Ireland and the Republic, has not featured under Martin O’Neill despite being put on stand-by for friendlies against Latvia and Poland when his first squad was announced in November.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “If he maintains his form then I would be very surprised if they were not watching him and keeping a close eye on what he is delivering because the Championship is a very high standard of football.

“I think he has started the season strongly. Whether we use him in a two or three-man midfield, his game understanding and tactical awareness are very high. He is technically delivering what we are asking him to do and he has shown an improvement from last season. Hopefully, he can maintain that.”