JUNIOR Stanislas admitted the past two months had been “difficult and frustrating” but insisted he understood the reasons for his lack of match action.

The Cherries winger, signed on a free transfer from Burnley this summer, has totalled just two and half hours of competitive football since September 28.

Although he played 90 minutes of the famous League Cup win over West Brom, Stanislas watched from the sidelines during the six-match league winning streak across October and November.

An outing in the 2-0 defeat at Derby on September 30 was his most recent Championship appearance but the former West Ham ace, who turns 25 on Wednesday, is confident he will get another chance.

Stanislas told the Daily Echo: “On a selfish level, it’s been difficult and frustrating but at the same time the group has been having a lot of success.

“If it was a different situation where we were in the bottom half of the table, then it would have been a little bit more frustrating, but the team is flying.

“I had a similar situation at Burnley last year where I was in and out but in the end a promotion came out of it.

“It’s not just about one individual, it’s very much about the team. We’ve started off quite well and, hopefully, that will continue.

“There are going to be times when I’m in the team and times when I’m out but as long as the team is doing well and getting the results that we want, I think it benefits us all.

“In the Championship it’s a long old season. There are 46 games and I know I will play my part in a lot of those games.

“It’s very much a case of waiting for my opportunity and then taking it when it comes. Hopefully, that chance will come soon and then I will fight to keep the shirt.”

Cherries will tomorrow face fellow promotion-chasers Ipswich Town in their return to action following the international break, and Stanislas has predicted a tight battle at Dean Court (3pm).

He said: “Mick McCarthy’s teams are usually well drilled and I’m sure all his players will fight for him. They are quite direct so we are getting ready for them in that respect.

“But it’s very much about us and if we play our football the way we can, I’m sure we’ll get a positive result.”