CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe is convinced it is “only a matter of time” before winger Matt Ritchie will break his goal duck for the season.

Ritchie, one of the leading assist men in the Championship, has failed to find the net in 15 league and cup appearances this season.

The 25-year-old notched nine last season, including four in the final eight games, with one coming in Cherries’ 4-2 victory at Birmingham in March.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Goals and individual milestones are not really that important to me if you are contributing to the team and Matt is.

“He is contributing a lot and, if you were to take away his assists, we would probably be nowhere near as successful or as free-flowing as we have been.

“He plays an important part in our defensive play, he is very good off the ball and is an incredibly hard worker. All those things are key.

“I know if Matt plays enough games, he will score goals and it is just a matter of time before he finds the net.

“I imagine he would want to score and I am not naive enough to think he wouldn’t. The only person he needs to keep happy is me so I continue to pick him and, at the moment, he is doing everything right.”