HARRY ARTER HAS vowed not to rush back from injury in the future, after the Bournemouth midfielder made his comeback after six weeks out.
The 26-year-old missed the Cherries’ matches against Newcastle and Swansea before returning to play against Tottenham just before March’s international break, to ensure he could get the chance to impress in Ireland’s friendlies. However, Arter’s comeback lasted just 45 minutes at White Hart Lane.
“The injury was not right after the Southampton game. I probably came back a little bit too early and pushed myself way too soon with the Ireland games in my mind,” Arter told the Bournemouth Daily Echo.
“I later apologised to the manager and the lads after the Tottenham game because I realised I should not have put myself or the team in that position.
“Then I went away and it came to light that the injury was a little bit more serious than we first thought. I should have been wise enough to know it wasn’t right.”
Despite just winning one cap for Ireland, against England last year, Arter is still very much in the picture to go to Euro 2016.
I knew I had to get in some games to have a good chance of being fit enough for the Euros. Martin O’Neill has made it clear he wants me to get in a few a games and hopefully, I can play in the last two.
“There are a couple of friendlies before he picks the squad so if I can stay injury free, he will give me a chance to prove what I can do.
“It would be a dream come true for any player that has not experienced playing at the Euros and hopefully, it is a dream I can fulfil.”