EDDIE Howe believes it is "important" for his strikers to find the net, even during pre-season.

Cherries edged past AFC Wimbledon 3-2 on Tuesday night in their first friendly of the summer with Callum Wilson bagging a brace before Ryan Fraser sealed the win.

And Howe says that while results are not paramount at this stage, he was pleased with some aspects of the display against the Dons.

Howe told afcbTV: "It was a good game, a physical game. I think we knew we were going to get that from Wimbledon.

"I thought we had some good bits in both halves, some stuff we need to work on and improve but pleased that most of the lads seem to have come through with no ill effects.

"I think it's important, even though it's pre-season, that the strikers score and attacking players create, so really good for Callum to get his two goals.

"I think he'll be delighted with that.

"So it's a good start for him and the team in the first half, we looked strong and played some good stuff at times."

Having led 2-0 at the break through Wilson's double, Howe made 11 changes and his side quickly found themselves pegged back after successful penalties from Michael Folivi and Joe Pigott.

And Howe admits there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Asked if he had seen the work in training on show during the game, he said: "Not enough, probably, for my standards.

"But certainly some things that we've worked on (were) coming out. The players have been really well drilled, we've covered a lot of work in different aspects of our team, shape and everything that we work on.

"But I think we're a work in progress."

He added: "It was a really good run from Ryan and an excellent finish.

"Pleased to win. I think pre-season is important for fitness and all those other various things that we look at, but it's always nice to win. It's a good habit to build."