MANAGER Eddie Howe says Cherries will tread carefully as they bid to ease back from injury recent signing Ryan Fraser.

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.

The 18-year-old winger felt some discomfort in the joint when he warmed up with Howe’s squad ahead of their League One clash at Walsall.

Fraser, who penned a three-and- a-half year deal, was expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks and returned to light training earlier this month.

He also joined in yesterday when Cherries had a morning session at Dean Court before travelling with the rest of the squad when they departed for Crewe.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Ryan has made good progress over the past couple of days. He has been running on the grass and getting a feel for the ball again.

“At the moment, it is good news with him. But it is a delicate injury and we are not planning to have him any time soon. I think it is going to be a slow build up to get him back in with us.”

Howe also reported Donal McDermott, who sustained an ankle injury in the Hampshire Senior Cup clash with Eastleigh, was “making good progress” and said he should be back in a couple of weeks.