CHERRIES winger Dango Ouattara admitted it was tough learning a completely new position but shared he was happy to do whatever it takes to help his side.

Burkinabe international Ouattara joined Cherries as an out-and-out winger in January 2023 from sister side FC Lorient, but this season he has been deployed at left-back during an injury crisis that saw regulars Lloyd Kelly and Milos Kerkez sidelined in December.

Ouattara was drafted in for his first league start against Luton Town since a combination of injury and a call-up to African Cup of Nations limited his availability for Cherries in January.

He played the full 90 minutes as Cherries came from three goals behind at half-time to end up 4-3 winners at Vitality Stadium.

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Translated from his native French, Ouattara told the Daily Echo: “It was a good game in the second half. We were trailing and the coach made the changes that pushed us.

“Therefore it’s a good match.

“At half-time, he (head coach Andoni Iraola) tried to push us.

“We were trailing, he made some changes which helped us offensively. I thought it was good.”

His substitute performance against Sheffield United at the weekend, Ouattara scoring and providing an assist as Cherries salvaged a draw, was enough to convince his head coach that he should start at left-back over a natural defender in the form of Kerkez.

It is the first time Iraola has turned to the winger to play ahead of a left-back instead of being a stand-in option.

Although Cherries’ defence were picked off by a clinical Luton on the counter in the first half, Iraola kept faith in the Burkinabe, Ouattara playing the entirety of the match as his side completed a remarkable turnaround.

Asked if he had found learning a completely new position tough, Ouattara replied: “Yes, that is a bit difficult.

“It’s difficult, but I come in to bring something more to the team. That’s the most important thing.

“Wherever I can, I can add something to the team. That suits me.”

Although constrained by an ankle injury and time away with his national side, Ouattara has managed 20 Premier League appearances this term, albeit largely off the bench with just six starts.

He restarted: “This year, it has been a little difficult for me.

“I have learnt a new position, but like I said, wherever I can bring more to the team, that is the most important thing for me.”

Ouattara will perhaps be playing in another position again whilst on international duty with Burkina Faso.

The former FC Lorient man often plays up top for his country, with Burkina Faso in action this month with international friendlies against Libya and Niger.