Ryan Fraser gets his head down and runs at defenders. An aspect of the Bournemouth winger's game that can never be questioned.

Even when things are not going well for the Cherries, Fraser has that innate desire to put his markers under pressure, and it's a desirable trait in a forward player. Just ask Liverpool and Arsenal scouts who have been linked with a potential move for the former Aberdeen man this summer.

He is, of course, out of contract in June and would be available for nothing. The problem for Fraser is that his side have been awful in recent months and are in real danger of being relegated from the English Premier League this term if they're not careful.

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But while Bournemouth as a whole have been poor, Fraser's own form has dipped well below par. Well below what we've come to expect from the Scotland cap. Which is a serious worry given how important a player he has become for Steve Clarke and the Tartan Army.

Fraser has only scored one goal this season for his club, coming in a 3-1 win over Everton back in September. Three assists is all he's managed to provide his teammates - two of which have come from set-pieces.

By this stage last season, Fraser had 10 assists and seven goals to his name in all competitions. A stark and worrying comparison. Eddie Howe's men are in the relegation zone fighting it out with the likes of Norwich, Aston Villa and Watford. Hardly the mindset you'd look for from a player hoping to win big for his country.

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Even scarier is Scotland's lack of competition in Fraser's position. James Forrest has been deployed by Celtic on the left-hand side at times this season. Though his strongest position is clearly on the opposite flank. Matt Phillips of West Brom has been given the opportunity in dark blue before and blown it. Lewis Morgan? Perhaps. Mikey Johnston? Maybe.

With Israel calling in March, Steve Clarke cannot afford any passengers in his squad. Nor can he really afford - to start, at least - anyone who is not on form for their club. A tough decision must be made. Fraser has two months to rediscover his form or risk missing one of his country's biggest games in a long, long time.