AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola believes that Alex Scott will be like a new signing for the Cherries, as the midfielder returns from a lengthy knee injury.
The 21-year-old could feature as Bournemouth travel to Southampton on Saturday, in what would be his first appearance in almost four months.
Iraola said: “We’ll see if he is ready (for Southampton), but if not, he will be ready for next week.
“I think he is going to be like a new signing for us, for the rest of the season.
“His return comes at a good time for the team, and also for him personally of course.”
Iraola believes that Scott brings something unique to the Cherries midfield, he said: "Alex for me is a different player than the other midfielders.
“He’s a little bit more of an offensive player than Lew (Lewis Cook) and Tyler (Adams).
“He has the ability to leave players behind more than the others, because of his quality on the ball, and can also finish in the opposition box.
“We can use him in the eight or the ten position, and even playing as a six he has been very good for us, so he covers the three positions in the middle.”
At the beginning of the season, the youngster featured in every single game for the Cherries, until a meniscus injury in training halted his development.
Iraola said: “He started the season very well, had a good pre-season, and was in a good moment.
“Injuries appear when they appear, and we cannot change that.”
Whilst Scott has been out, Tyler Adams has had the chance to step up, and the American formed a good partnership with fellow midfielder Ryan Christie.
Iraola has been impressed with the pair, he said: “I think they are working very well together.
“Obviously the more time you play together, the more opportunities appear, the better you read second balls.
“I think we’ve improved a lot in terms of controlled attacks lately, against Forest we had very good disperse on the ball consistently, and obviously the midfield is a big part of this.”