Cherries: Fraser some way off debut says Howe (From Thisisdorset)

Cherries: Fraser some way off debut says Howe

7:00am Saturday 16th February 2013 in Latest Sport

BOSS Eddie Howe has revealed Ryan Fraser is still some way off being considered for his Cherries debut despite his unexpected appearance on the bench in midweek.

Howe admitted he had “reluctantly” named Fraser among his substitutes for Tuesday’s League One clash at Crewe, the teenager drafted in for flu victim Marc Pugh.

Fraser, a £300,000 recruit from Aberdeen last month, has seen the start of his career at Dean Court delayed due to a hip problem and only returned to training on Monday.

Howe said: “It was the first time Ryan had been fully involved with us and he did really well. We wanted that attacking option on the bench at Crewe so, following consultation with the physios and Ryan, we threw him in at the deep end to some extent.

“It was good we didn’t have to use him during the game and he has since had a couple more good days of training.

“He isn’t 100 per cent fit and won’t be 100 per cent ready to go in and play and do himself justice for a long period of time. But if we need him for five or 10 minutes, that would be something we would look at.

“We may dip him in and out but we need to still protect him. If he says he is fit and the physios agree then we would certainly look to get him involved.”

Meanwhile, as predicted by the Daily Echo on Tuesday, Cherries goalkeeper Benji Buchel yesterday completed a loan move.

The 23-year-old Liechtenstein international, who has been turning out for Cherries’ development squad, has joined Conference South neighbours Dorchester Town initially for a month.

Buchel, signed on an initial six-month contract by former boss Paul Groves in August, has also agreed a contract extension until the end of the season.