ANDONI Iraola admits he has had to rush Alex Scott into action sooner than he would have liked, insisting: “We really needed him for 90 minutes.”

The Guernsey-born midfielder arrived from Bristol City over the summer for around £25million, but came nursing a knee injury.

He finally made his Cherries debut in defeat to Wolves on October 21, playing 57 minutes with Iraola admitting that was around his limit fitness-wise.

With Tyler Adams injured and Lewis Cook suspended, Cherries’ midfield numbers were light going into Saturday’s crucial home clash with Burnley.

Scott kept his place in the team, the 20-year-old impressing as he played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 win.

Discussing Scott’s game-time since returning from injury, with Saturday his first full match since pre-season in July with Bristol City, head coach Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Probably it is not the ideal situation. Probably it is better you play 25, then 45, then you get in the team.

“But I felt with the players we had out, we really needed him for 90 minutes.

“He is a young player, but I think his head looks experienced.

“He knows what you have to do in every phase of the game and I think his spirit, his soul is something good for the team.”