Could Gannon-Doak step up as Semenyo's long-term replacement?

While most managers' primary hope during international breaks is that their players return unscathed, after intensive competitive games often bookended by long-haul flights, Bournemouth may have been grateful for the game time given to one squad member.

Ben Gannon-Doak has comfortably played more minutes for Scotland this season than he has done for the Cherries, coming off the bench against Denmark before starting twice against Belarus and once against Greece.

By contrast, the winger was substituted at half-time in his only Bournemouth start this season in the Carabao Cup, though he impressed when summoned from the bench against Leeds and Fulham.

He also recorded a first Premier League assist against the Cottagers, sprinting down the right as the Cherries counter-attacked after clearing a Fulham corner in stoppage time, before keeping a cool head to square the ball for the unmarked Antoine Semenyo to score.

There is fierce competition in Andoni Iraola's side for places in the wide positions, with Semenyo - one of the Premier League's players of the season so far - and the rejuvenated David Brooks currently in possession of the starting slots.

But, as has been well documented, Iraola encourages his wingers to run themselves into the ground for an hour or more before summoning their replacements, such as ex-Liverpool teenager Gannon-Doak and fellow summer signing Amine Adli, from the bench.

With a first-round Carabao Cup exit meaning no cup matches until January, some hard-fought battles in the Tartan Army's colours - with another two fixtures next month - may help build Gannon-Doak up to the levels he needs to play in Iraola's high-energy style.

He recently told the club website how he needs to work on his defensive attributes too, admitting: "I've realised now that's what is going to get me in the team."

Looking further ahead, Semenyo's early-season form will continue to generate more and more transfer speculation - although much of it will be baseless. However, it does feel increasingly likely this may be his last season in Bournemouth colours, despite penning a new contract.

The Cherries' recruitment team has been rightly praised for their summer transfer business, and in Gannon-Doak, there is a chance they may already have Semenyo's potential long-term replacement in the building.