HARRY Arter will be deep behind enemy lines when he sits down to Christmas dinner this year – with Fulham’s Scott Parker his host.

Arter is due to attend a family gathering at brother-in-law Parker’s Surrey base on Christmas Day, some 24 hours before potentially facing the ex-West Ham man at Dean Court (3pm).

The Cherries midfielder has credited Parker – married to Arter’s older sister Carly – as being “a massive influence” on his career.

The duo have never met in a competitive game but Arter insists his close bond with the England international will not blunt his competitive edge.

He told the Daily Echo: “Spending Christmas together is something we have done since I was seven so we’re used to it now. We’re doing it at his house this year and I’m sure the game will get brought up.

“We have spoken about it already and it’s something that we laugh about but when it comes down to it we both know that there at 10 other players relying on us.

“Supporters are counting on both of us and it would make their Christmas to win the game, so I don’t think we can afford to let family ties get in the way.

“There is no way either of us will be taking it lightly and we will both be going for it. It’s going to be a strange day for the family but I’m sure it’s one we can all enjoy.”

Following a woeful start to the season under Felix Magath, Fulham’s fortunes have improved markedly under Kit Symons and the Cottagers are currently 13th, just 10 points off the play-off places.

And Arter believes that Fulham have the potential to climb even higher under Symons’s direction.

He added: “If they had had him in charge since the start of the season then they would be in a healthier position than they are.

“Without being disrespectful to the old manager, I think all they needed was a manager who knew the English game and the Championship and he seems like he does.

“They have got top players like Scott, Ross McCormack, Hugo Rodallega and Bryan Ruiz, who played in the World Cup, and I feel that as the season goes on, they will be a force.”