IF Harry Arter had a “spring in his step” at training this week it wouldn’t have been a surprise.

The Cherries star and partner Rachel welcomed daughter Raine into the world last week - just over a year since they suffered the tragedy of losing a baby.

Baby Raine Renée Arter was born by caesarean at a London hospital last Friday – a moment which Harry says he still struggles to put into words.

“I’m just so happy,” was the first sentence the Cherries star was able to get out at a press conference.

“Obviously it’s been an emotional week and I’m a little bit tired but the main thing is we are just so happy.”

For Harry the emotions of welcoming baby Raine into the world are slightly more complicated - as his feelings of utter joy have been coupled with the grief he still feels for his daughter Renée who was delivered stillborn in December 2015.

But the idea of Raine as a ‘rainbow baby’ has really hit home for 27-year-old and has helped him understand both the grief and joy he is feeling. The phrase stems from the idea that a rainbow, symbolising hope and comfort, follows the storm of grief caused by the loss of a baby.

“I just thought it was a nice message,” said Harry. “I worried that I would feel a tad guilty that all the attention would be on the new baby, but it made me understand that even though there’s a beautiful baby here it’s not the case that Renée didn’t exist.

“Of course in an ideal world I would love them both to be here.”

The couple have also made sure that Renée has played a part in welcoming Raine into the world.

Not only is her middle name Renée – but the couple also used the baby hat they received for Renée from the charity 4Louis – which provided Harry and Rachel with a memory box following her death.

“We wanted her to have her sister’s middle name and one day when she’s older we will tell her about her sister and what happened,” he added.

For Harry there are still days when the loss of Renée threatens to overwhelm him. “It can just hit you at certain times,” he said. “You never forget but hopefully you find something positive in the experience.”

But in the aftermath Harry has not shied away from sharing what happened to him and Rachel. And listening to him talk so openly and bravely about everything you understand why he has become an inspiration to many other people who have been in a similar situation.

“I’ve tried to tell my story throughout this whole time to try and help other people who have been, or are going through a similar experience,” he added.

“I want them to know they don’t have to sit in silence and it’s probably better to talk about it and get things off your chest.”

Incredibly just days after Renée was stillborn he helped his team secure a 2-1 triumph against Manchester United – putting in a performance which earned him man of the match.

The enduring images of manager Eddie Howe embracing the clearly emotional Harry after the game were beamed around the world. In the dressing room he was given a standing ovation from his teammates.

But the feeling of admiration for how Harry handled the tragic loss has gone way beyond that of his own team.

Burnley fans gave the midfielder a standing ovation during their game against the Cherries in December – which marked the anniversary of Renée’s death.

And just two weeks ago Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola approached the midfielder after the game to wish him luck with the birth of his child – which Harry has described as an “unbelievable touch”.

But it wasn’t just the Manchester City manager who had words of congratulations for the midfielder.

Following Raine’s birth the Cherries star has been inundated with thousands of messages on social media congratulating himself and Rachel.

“All the messages on social media have been lovely,” he added.

“I’ve received around four or five thousand and they have come from all over. Premier League, Championship, League Two and of course the fans.

“I am just really thankful for anyone who has taken the time to send their congratulations.”

Unfortunately, Harry has also experienced the nasty side of social media - non-league footballer Alfie Barker sent the Cherries star a number of vile messages related to the loss of Renée. As a result Barker was banned from all football activity until August this year.

But Harry says he hopes people have forgiven Barker for his actions because he has.

“He’s a young boy who’s made a mistake and I wouldn’t want that to have a lasting impact on his life or his career,” he added.

Some may find this willingness to forgive inspiring but Harry says that after everything he has been through he has learned to let things go and focus on what really matters – which is his family.

Looking back on the actual birth Harry says he was in shock when Raine eventually arrived.

“Rachel had a caesarean so once they made the incision the baby was out very quickly.

“Before that though we were very anxious just waiting for her to arrive. For me I just wanted to try and reassure Rachel and help her through it – although I’m not sure how helpful I really was.”

And despite Harry being a Premier League football star he doesn’t get off light when it comes to changing nappies.

And he’s not had the luxury of two weeks' paternity leave having been back at work training this week. But according to Harry he felt more pressure changing a nappy in front of nurses at the hospital than he does playing football in front of tens of thousands of people – which is why it is no surprise to hear he is looking forward to being back out on the field with his team-mates today against West Brom.

And it’s great to see Harry excited about the prospect of playing – considering how much he struggled towards the end of last season.

“I was just finding football and results very difficult to be bothered about – especially when it came to results.

“Three points to me personally wasn’t life or death and I needed to take some time over the summer with my family to get my focus back professionally.”

Hopefully for Harry the Cherries will come home with those three points today – a little icing on top of an unforgettable week for him.

For now though he is just enjoying being a hands on dad and taking every opportunity to spend time with his daughter.