MANAGER Eddie Howe singled out winger Ryan Fraser for special praise following the Scotsman’s impressive individual showing against Huddersfield.

The 19-year-old gave the Terriers defence plenty to ponder, especially during the first half, and provided a series of excellent crosses, which Cherries were unable to convert.

Fraser, who also performed admirably during Cherries’ 6-1 defeat at Watford, operated on the left flank after being handed his third successive start in the Championship at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Howe said: “He was outstanding again. Although it is still early, he has been a real highlight throughout the season.

“I thought he was positive and direct against Huddersfield and he put some great balls into the box.”

Howe was forced to make a late switch to his starting line-up as central defender Elliott Ward headed back to the south coast ahead of the game after his wife had gone into labour.

It had been a similar story at Watford a fortnight earlier when injury to skipper Tommy Elphick had seen Howe shuffle his defensive pack at the 11th hour.

Howe said: “We had planned all week to go a certain way and then we had to change system at the last minute which happened to us prior to the Watford game. There was nothing we could have done about it.”