ANDONI Iraola insists Romain Faivre “will have his chances before the end of the season”, adding: “It is very difficult to not give him minutes.”

Cherries signed Faivre for £12.8million from Lyon last summer, before instantly loaning him out to FC Lorient.

Faivre was due to stay in Brittany all season, but was recalled in January to bolster Cherries’ squad numbers.

Since his return the Frenchman is yet to start a match, appearing four times off the bench for a total of 30 minutes.

He last featured in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Leicester City in February, remaining an unused substitute for the subsequent six matches.

Bournemouth Echo:

Discussing the 25-year-old, head coach Iraola said: “Romain is a very good player.

“For me, it is very difficult to not play him and give him minutes.

“But the players that are playing there and in the area behind the striker are in a good place also.

“It is strong competition.

“He is coming to a different league, he has to have his adaptation process.

“We talk about how well Zaba (Illia Zabarnyi) and Antoine (Semenyo) are doing - when they came last winter, they probably went through a phase where they were playing less or having some issues.

“Romain is there. I am sure he will have his chances before the end of the season, because he is trying.”

Iraola added: “It’s not an easy situation for Romain. He has played some minutes, but you have to come to a team where you have strong competition for minutes in your position.

“I think he has had good spells and he has to try to improve football wise, outside with the language and settling in quickly and knowing his teammates more.

“He has to do this process.”

Faivre will hope to get an opportunity when Cherries host Manchester United on Saturday (5.30pm).