Cherries striker Jamal Lowe is "close" to making his first start for the club according to Bournemouth boss Scott Parker.
JAMAL Lowe joined the Cherries from Championship rivals Swansea on transfer deadline day and Cherries boss Scott Parker revealed the Jamaican international is “close” to making his first start for the club.
Sheffield United visit Vitality Stadium before the next international break and Lowe – who has been selected for Jamaica’s World Cup qualifier with the US – could be set for a full debut.
When asked by Nerve Sport if the forward is close to making his first start for the club, Parker said: “He [Lowe] is close.
“I think he is now at a point where he can come in and at a point where he can play football matches and that is going to be down to me when the time is right.”
The Jamaican international has found game time limited since joining from The Swans, having played just 30 minutes in several substitute appearances – 21 of those coming last time out against Peterborough.
Parker pointed out that he had wanted to give Lowe every opportunity to settle in at the club and learn how things are done under the head coach before being thrown into first team action.
“I am very conscious that when someone moves from a different club with new surroundings there is so much going on,” he explained.
“Looking at it from a distance it would have been unfair of me to go and sling him in straight away.
“If you are in a fortunate position like I am, I haven’t got to put him in straight away.
Building relationships and understanding what is required from a Bournemouth player under Parker was a crucial motivation in taking things slowly with the former Swansea and Portsmouth striker.
Parker continued: “He can just sit back and observe a little bit and train and understand the other players and form friendships and what they bring.
“I wanted that to be Jamz main focus, to settle down, get a place, get used to training and the intensity that we train at - that has been perfect for him.”
Despite Parker feeling his new striker is ready for more first team action, the form of Dominic Solanke and the teams current unbeaten run in the league means the head coach has to be cautious about when that moment will come.
“Again, the team are 10 unbeaten and in a decent place as well, so I need to get that balance right,” Parker added.
“He needs to stay calm, which he is, and an ultra-professional, if he keeps working every day, he will get his chance.