CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe has urged Ryan Fraser to start delivering the goods on a more consistent basis.

Fraser marked his return to the starting line-up by opening the scoring in Cherries’ 1-1 draw with Southampton on Sunday.

His finely-taken effort on the stroke of half-time was his first goal in the Premier League since he netted three times in a five-match purple patch midway through last season.

Flying winger Fraser has experienced an indifferent first four months of the campaign, his progress checked by a combination of injury and a dip in form.

His start against Saints was his first in the Premier League since the 2-1 win over Brighton in mid-September – when he was subbed in the second half.

Before earning his recall, the 23-year-old had been restricted to two appearances from the bench in the top flight, although he has played a major role in Cherries’ run to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Howe, who signed Fraser from Aberdeen for £400,000 almost five years ago, said: “I am one of Ryan’s biggest fans, I really am. I think he is a player of huge ability.

“For whatever reason, he has had a slightly stuttering start to the season and we haven’t quite seen him at his fluent best.

“His performance against Southampton was a sign of him really returning to that form and, if he can, he is going to be a huge player for us.

“When you look back at a lot of our goals from last season, he was behind a good number of them.

“I can’t speak highly enough of his ability as a player – I just hope he shows it on a consistent basis.”

Fraser has started all three ties in the Carabao Cup, scoring the opener in the 2-1 win at Birmingham in the second round. He also won his second cap for Scotland last month.

“It was a big relief when I scored against Southampton,” said Fraser. "My confidence has been low this season and that was a massive boost.

“I started to grow after coming on against Liverpool at this stage last season and need to do it again.

“I need to do it for the team and for myself and to show everyone I can hit the heights the gaffer knows I can reach."