DOMINIC Solanke insists he is happy playing in a “different role” for Cherries this season as he prepares for a likely recall to the side tomorrow afternoon.

With Joshua King ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Solanke is in line to return to the starting XI for the home clash with Wolves (3pm), following three matches as a substitute.

The striker is still yet to find the net since his £17.5million arrival from Liverpool in January, a run of 23 matches in all competitions.

The 22-year-old enjoyed prolific years in front of the net for various age groups in the England national setup, scoring 36 goals in total.

Solanke also netted regularly as he rose through the ranks at Chelsea, but has not been able to replicate that form in top-flight, bagging just once in 42 Premier League career appearances, which came for Liverpool against Brighton in May 2018.

But the one-time senior England international has taken up a slightly changed position this campaign, often playing in a deeper spot behind either King or Callum Wilson.

And he admits his job is no longer all about goals.

Solanke told the Daily Echo: “I have been playing a bit of a different role.

“I’ve got to do what I have to do for the team. I’m happy at the moment.

“I just want to keep on trying to help the team and in times like at Newcastle, when I can come on impact the game, I’ll be looking to do that as well. It is (different). Throughout my career I’ve always played as a number nine and scored some goals, so I think a lot of people just look at that.

“But you’ve got to look at the other side as well. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do for the team.

“The team and the manager is always helping me. I’m always looking back after the game and working in training as well to try and get the best out of that.”

And boss Eddie Howe can vouch for Solanke’s recent efforts, believing the forward is showing clear signs of development.

Asked if he had any qualms in restoring Solanke to the side with King injured, Howe told the Daily Echo: “No hesitation at all. I think Dom’s in a very, very good place.

“He came to the football club with a big expectation on him.

“But I think in recent weeks, probably the last four or five weeks, I’ve seen real progression from him, real development in his game in terms of his confidence and stature within the group, in terms of his understanding of what we want him to do.

“I think he’s in a very good place now.”

But the Cherries boss admitted it would be a relief to see the striker finally find the net.

“I think he probably needs to score and would want to score,” said Howe.

“We all want him to score. I think there’s no immediate pressure on that. It’s more about how he’s performing for the team.

“I think when he got his run in the team, he helped the team function at a very high level. With his game intelligence, he’s a very, very intelligent player. He’s technically very good.

“I think he helped us play some really nice football. I think those things and his work-rate and how he presses and all those things that, I wouldn’t say go unnoticed, but they’re not at the forefront of everyone’s mind when you look at a striker. For me they’re just as important as the goal return.”

Asked if he feels Solanke can be too selfless at times, Howe added: “No, I wouldn’t say so. Because that selflessness helps create a really good team player.

“I think that’s a big strength of Dominic’s and the goals will come. That’s my firm belief with his career.”