DOMINIC Solanke revealed he spoke with Saints full-back and close pal Kyle Walker-Peters “every day”.

But on Wednesday for the pair at Vitality Stadium (7.30pm), it is very much game on.

The duo were born just five months apart in 1997, meaning their footballing paths crossed regularly as they developed from talented teenagers into fully-fledged Premier League pros.

Both members of England’s 2017 Under-20 World Cup winning squad, the pair have been roommates at international level, as their careers have blossomed with their respective clubs.

Former Tottenham man Walker-Peters has started every league game for Saints this campaign and is nearing 100 appearances for the St Mary’s side.

Solanke scored his 50th Cherries club goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Fulham, the frontman having netted twice and registered three assists in his past five games.

Cherries go into the clash with their south coast neighbours five points ahead of them in the top-flight table – with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men currently in the relegation zone.

And Solanke revealed there would be some “stick” dished out from both him and Walker-Peters, before and after they go toe-to-toe.

“It’s always nice to play against your friend,” said the Cherries striker, when asked about the Saints defender.

“When you are on the pitch that’s aside but before and after the game we can give each other a bit of stick! I am looking forward to it.

“We speak every day and it’s just something that will come up generally. Me, him, our boys will all be looking forward to the game.

“Obviously it’s pretty much a derby game. They are not far from us, so it’s a game that both clubs and fanbases want to win massively.

“We are in good form right now, so we will be looking forward to it.

“We are at home as well, so we’ve got our fans behind us which will give us a good boost. It’s another game we will be looking to go and win.”

It is through gaming where the pair now mostly keep in contact and with FIFA 23 being released just last month, Walker-Peters and Solanke have been battling on the pitch virtually, as well as in real life.

“We are on FIFA at the moment, obviously FIFA just came out a few weeks ago so we are in contact every day mainly through gaming,” said the Cherries star.

“Everyone is different in their ways to take their mind away from football and that’s just something I like doing. Going home, chilling out and it’s a good way to keep in contact with your friends as well.”

Asked who was better at FIFA, Solanke replied: “Between me and Kyle? Definitely me.”

Walker-Peters made his senior England debut in March this year in a 2-1 victory over Switzerland at Wembley.

Solanke’s one and only call-up for the Three Lions thus far came in a 0-0 draw against Brazil in November 2017.

Asked how much he would like to get back to that level one day, the forward said: “Yeah of course. Obviously playing for your country is an amazing feeling.

“Like you said, I’ve had a taste of it before. I want to focus firstly on being back in the Prem and doing my stuff here (at Cherries) but after that, I’ll be looking forward to that.

“You can’t force that stuff. If it happens, it happens. It’s obviously something I would like to be involved in but I’ve just got to do my stuff here at the moment.”

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