BENIK Afobe admits he is desperate for more match minutes but vows he will never complain, insisting: “The manager has a plan for me.”

The frontman has appeared in just one of Cherries’ three Premier League fixtures so far this season, with Callum Wilson primarily deployed as the main man up top.

Afobe replaced Jordon Ibe in the second half of the opening-day defeat to Manchester United but was an unused substitute in the late loss at West Ham.

He played 90 minutes of Cherries’ EFL Cup success at Morecambe but again stayed on the bench for the league draw at Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.

The former Arsenal youngster, who netted four goals in his first eight games having arrived from Wolves in January, admits he is hungry to play but trusts boss Eddie Howe to utilise him at the right moments.

Afobe told the Daily Echo: “It’s no secret every footballer wants to play every minute. Even when you get taken off in the 85th minute, unless you are absolutely shattered, you still want to play 90 minutes.

“But the manager knows what he’s doing, it’s a long season and we’ve got good players in every position.

“I’m not someone to complain. The manager here spoke to me personally and he has a plan for me, he hasn’t lost any faith in me and it was nice to hear that.

“Some players have to go and see managers and have to be reassured but the manager here approached me and spoke to me about his plans for me.

“He’s a good man and a fair man and he has improved me a lot.”

The 23-year-old striker, whose last goal came against Southampton in March, revealed he felt sharper physically than in recent times and said he was positive over his prospects for the season.

And he explained that Cherries’ lack of a Premier League victory in the opening weeks of the campaign was of greater concern than his own fortunes.

Speaking ahead of today’s home clash with West Brom (3pm), Afobe said: “Right now, I’m thinking about working hard and just enjoying my football. In the past couple of weeks although I haven’t really played, I’ve felt good, I’ve felt fitter.

“We’ve done tests and I feel quicker and stronger and am playing with a smile on my face again. Now I’m very hungry to show people what I can do.

“When you see the fitness coaches and the manager are happy with you, you feel confident straight away.

“Hopefully, I can have a good season. It’s only been three games and I’ve always been a team player.

“The most frustrating thing for me is not that I didn’t come on twice but that we haven’t won yet.

“Even if people write us off, we don’t really care.”