SAM Vokes has always had rhythm but now he believes that he's finally found his sole.

The 17-year-old Cherries striker, who burst on the scene earlier this season, has been left frustrated on the sidelines for a month with a nerve problem in his back.

But the Lymington-based youngster is pinning his hopes on some corrective footwear in a bid to cure the problem.

Vokes told the Daily Echo: "I felt a problem with my groin when I was away with Wales under-21s when it just felt tight and that kept me out for a week.

"But then in my first session back with Bournemouth, I trapped a nerve in my back and I couldn't walk - I've been out about four weeks now and it's really frustrating because things were going pretty well for me until I got injured.

"They've said it's possible that all of the niggles are related, so I've now got some special inserts to wear in my footwear and they seem to think that will sort it all out with time.

"I've only just started wearing them and people have told me it might take a couple of months to straighten things out, but hopefully, it will stop me getting these little injuries in the future."

Vokes made his Wales under-21 debut last month and scored within the first minute of his bow at international football.

But since then, he's been left kicking his heels as Kevin Bond's men attempt to drag themselves away from League One relegation trouble.

Vokes said: "It's pretty frustrating because I was flying after the Wales game - and then I haven't been able to play for month.

"I hate watching from the stands.

"But I've been seeing a chiropractor regularly and doing some work with Steve (Hard, Cherries physio) "They told me that I strained my sciatic nerve when I stretched, although I'm not too well up on all the terms - all I know is my back was hurting!"

Vokes, however, is unlikely to be involved in Saturday's crucial League One clash at Northampton, after sustaining a minor knee injury in training on Wednesday.

Thankfully, the injury is not thought to be serious and Vokes may yet be eased back into action when the youth team host Hereford at Chapel Gate on Saturday (11am kick-off).