EDDIE Howe believes Jack Stacey is approaching his quest for a Premier League debut “in absolutely the right way” as he settles into life at Cherries.

The right-back, 23, arrived from Luton Town in the summer for a fee of around £4million.

He made his Cherries bow in last week’s Carabao Cup clash against Forest Green Rovers and was named man-of-the-match by the sponsors.

But he is yet to feature in the top flight, remaining an unused substitute during games at Aston Villa and Leicester.

With Adam Smith limping off with a hamstring problem at King Power Stadium days after Charlie Daniels was ruled out for the season due to a dislocated kneecap, adding to the continued absences of Simon Francis and Lloyd Kelly at full-back, Stacey’s opportunity in the Premier League could come sooner rather than later.

Discussing the early progress of the former Reading youngster, Howe told the Daily Echo: “He’s done very well. He’s started the process of working and improving as we do with all the players.

“I think the thing that struck me with Jack is he’s got a great attitude, someone that really wants to learn, wants to get better, wants to become a Premier League player on a regular basis but is going about it in absolutely the right way in seeking information, looking at himself back on the games in the clips and implementing the changes that he needs to.

“I was really pleased with him the other night (against Forest Green). I thought he attacked really well again, he could’ve scored a couple of goals.

“He is obviously new to the football club, has got a couple of things to tweak and to tighten up, but that’s natural. He’s certainly going in the right direction.”

Stacey, who netted during pre-season in defeat to Lazio at Vitality Stadium, went close to bagging his first official goal for the club against the Green Army, seeing a low shot come back off the inside of the post. Despite his position in the backline, Stacey excelled in attack at Luton in their promotion from League One last campaign, scoring four and assisting eight goals for the Hatters.

“Jack has got huge strengths,” said Howe.

“You saw the other night his energy and his determination to get forward, he was very strong in the game.

“He’s got a real goal threat, he’s a creative player so really, really pleased with him from an attacking sense, but I think naturally he’s got stuff to improve. But he’s doing it and I think he’ll only get better from this day forward.”

Howe added: “He (Stacey) will be very, very keen I’m sure to try and force his way into the team.

“I don’t think he did himself any harm at all the other night and we do have versatile players.

“Adam can play on the left side and we’ve got a couple of other options in the squad. Losing Charlie is obviously a huge blow to us, but we’ll have to adapt and overcome the problem.”