ANDONI Iraola believes Alex Scott is best suited to playing “in the number eight” in his system at Cherries.

Highly-rated Scott joined Cherries from Bristol City for an initial £20million in August.

Injury hampered his early months at the club, but he has now made 19 appearances across league and cup, scoring two goals and providing four assists.

Scott has featured in all three of Cherries’ central midfield roles under Iraola, as he battles the likes of Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie, Justin Kluivert and Philip Billing for match minutes. Tyler Adams has also now returned to fitness.

The Guernsey-born talent started Wednesday night’s 4-3 win over Luton as the most advanced of the midfield trio, but was subbed off at half-time with Cherries 3-0 down.

Asked where he feels Scott best fits in to his tactical system, head coach Iraola explained: “If I have to say, his best position is in the number eight.

“But he has been really good for us in the number six and he has been really good for us in the number 10, depending on the opposition.

“I wanted him, especially in the first half, to fight and control Ross Barkley, because I thought he was key for them.

“I think Alex is also quite physical in the middle, quite fast and he could even cause them some problems with the ball carrying and that was the main reason we thought he could fit in that position (on Wednesday).

“But if I had to choose right now, after having him for some time, I think he is a number eight.”

Scott is currently away on international duty, having received his first call-up for the England under-21s.

He will hope to feature in Euro qualifiers against Azerbaijan on Friday and Luxembourg on Tuesday.