BRAVEHEART Ryan Fraser insisted he would not be bossed around by the bully boys of the Premier League.

The diminutive winger will head into Saturday’s showdown at Burnley (3pm) as a “marked man” according to boss Eddie Howe, following his electric start to the campaign.

Scotland international Fraser has scored four times in six appearances in all competitions and has played a part in half of Cherries’ goals in the top flight.

Affectionately known as Wee Man, the big-hearted 24-year-old insisted he was prepared to be kicked around each time he stepped on to the field.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Turf Moor, he told the Daily Echo: “Burnley will be very tough.

“They make it hard at home but we will take the confidence of beating them there at the end of last season – and we are a better team this season.

“They will probably try to smash me, try to tackle me hard and bully me. But there are so many teams who have tried it and I just get on with it.

“In Scotland I got snapped every week by bad challenges. There are ways round it.

“I am small and am not the strongest – I will get bullied. Wes Morgan bullied me in the first half (against Leicester), I tried to go up for a header and I got absolutely ragdolled!

“But there’s nothing I can do about it, I’ll always put a foot in and try my best. Sometimes I won’t come away with the ball, I’ll get knocked over but it’s part and parcel of the game.”

Fraser has scored three times in the top flight this season, the same amount winless Burnley have mustered in their opening five league fixtures.

Sean Dyche’s men are yet to win a competitive match in 11 games this season, having started their campaign in the Europa League at Fraser’s former club Aberdeen.

Signed by Cherries from the Pittodrie outfit for £400,000 in January 2013, Fraser said he was looking to adapt his game from that of the conventional wide man.

“I wouldn’t say I was a proper winger any more,” he said.

“I am trying to change my game to an inside forward. I try to come inside so it’s harder for people to mark you.”

One key asset to the Cherries star’s armoury is his ability from set-pieces, a duty he shared with new recruit Diego Rico during Saturday’s 4-2 triumph over Leicester.

The pair also linked effectively down the left flank. Despite the language barrier between himself and the Spanish-speaking full-back, Fraser believes the relationship is flourishing.

“I think when you are talking football, you just know,” added the Aberdonian.

“If you speak about different things you are going to struggle to get a word or understand each other!

“But I am trying to build relationships with Diego and Chaz (Daniels) when he comes back.”