CHERRIES star Ryan Fraser is hoping to resume his fairytale season – after revealing he had feared being shown the door by Eddie Howe before it had even started.

Flying winger Fraser saw his chances of winning a first full cap for Scotland dashed when he was ruled out of their double-header during the international break.

The 23-year-old had been due to start a friendly against Canada eight days ago and possibly feature in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden Park on Sunday.

But he was forced to watch both matches from a seat in the stand after suffering a swollen knee on the day of the Canada game.

Fraser earned his call-up to the senior squad after impressing Scotland boss Gordon Strachan during an explosive breakthrough season in the Premier League.

A bargain £400,000 buy from home town club Aberdeen in January 2013, Fraser has become a huge crowd favourite among the Vitality Stadium faithful.

He has netted three times – including in wins against Liverpool and Swansea – and has turned in a series of eye-catching displays in his maiden campaign in the top flight.

Fraser helped Cherries claim back-to-back victories before heading off on international duty and could be in contention to face Southampton on Saturday.

But the likeable Scot admitted it could have been a very different story had he not forced his way into the reckoning after four years of fluctuating fortunes in Dorset.

Restricted to just six starts during Cherries’ Championship-winning season, Fraser did not feature in their first year in the Premier League and was farmed out on loan to Ipswich.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Fraser said: “If it hadn’t happened for me this season then I think the gaffer might have said that was it. I have been here four years and had my ups and downs.

“I played lots of games in the first year in the Championship but didn’t play many in the second. The loan at Ipswich helped me massively.

“But if I hadn’t made an impression this season, I would only have had a year left on my contract and, you never know, they might have tried to sell me. I don’t know, I didn’t ask.

“It was make or break for me and, luckily, I got my chance and have been rewarded with another contract.”

Fraser, who last month penned a lucrative three-and-a-half year deal, has also had his fair share of injury problems – with his loan at Ipswich cut short due to a hamstring problem.

“It can be tough at times,” he added. “People think it is easy being a footballer but, when you are low on confidence and you get a chance, it is so hard to take it.

“Fortunately for me, I came on and scored in the Liverpool game and it kind of changed me. I don’t know what it was but it gave me confidence. I knew I had to go for it because I had nothing to lose.”