EDDIE Howe believes the future looks bright for Dominic Solanke and admits the striker is going to be “pushing for a place” when Cherries return to Premier League action.

Before the international break, Solanke came off the bench and played a big role in Joshua King’s second-half strike against Newcastle, which almost secured victory until Matt Ritchie’s late wonder goal.

The 21-year-old has battled injury problems since joining Cherries in January and is yet to score a goal for the Dorset club.

He could tomorrow feature for England under-21s in a friendly against Germany at Vitality Stadium (7.45pm).

Asked if it will take Solanke time to adapt and break into Cherries' starting XI on a regular basis, Howe said: "It depends on the player.

"You look at Chris Mepham who has come into the team. A very young player and he came here being injured from Brentford but he has done so well in a really short period of time.

"It is all dependent on the player and how well he can adjust, how well he can take information and how quickly he can adapt to the team's style of play.

"From what I have seen from Dominic I don't think it is going to take him long at all. On the evidence (against Newcastle), he is really going to be pushing for a place."

On Solanke's impact against the Magpies, Howe added: "I was really impressed with Dominic. He has trained really well. He had a couple of niggles since he signed so his training was a bit disrupted but that is the longest we have had him (available).

"It was not a surprise to see him come on and do so well because I have seen it in training. The future looks really bright for him."

On Thursday, the Basingstoke-born ace came on as a second-half substitute in the Young Lions' 1-1 draw against Poland.

Asked if the regular surroundings could boost his performance for England, Howe said: "Naturally, when you play at a stadium you know and you like, it helps you. "I am sure the supporters who come will really get behind him."