Bournemouth’s Ake pushing for more first-team action

Nathan Ake has had to bide his time on Bournemouth’s bench so far this term, but both midfielder Jack Wilshere and boss Eddie Howe admit the youngster laid down a marker with his performance against Stoke.

The Cherries claimed a vital 1-0 win away at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday – their first three-point haul away from home so far this season.

Chelsea-loanee Ake, 21, had not featured in the Premier League since coming off the bench against Crystal Palace back in August, but celebrated his first start of the season with a headed goal to the delight of Wilshere.

“It’s been hard for him, and especially going to somewhere like Stoke away, it’s hard for a centre-back to come in and put in a performance like that,” he said.

“But he was brilliant; he dealt with [Wilfried] Bony in the first half, [Peter] Crouch in the second half, and then went up the other end and won us the game.

“So I’m delighted for him.”

Ake was only involved in place of the suspended Adam Smith, but manager Howe admits the Dutchman has now given him food for thought with a trip to Arsenal on the horizon this weekend.

He said: “The goal was great; I didn’t think Nathan would reach it but he’s got great athletic ability and it was a superb header.

“He didn’t put a foot wrong and his overall performance was pleasing, he put a stamp down and it was great to see.

“It was a difficult game and it shows the quality we have. The teams are difficult to pick and the players that came in did themselves no harm.”