HARRY Arter has backed new Cherries signing Adam Smith to make the right impression at Dean Court – both on and off the pitch.

Defender Smith, who joined Cherries on a three-and-half-year deal from Tottenham during the January transfer window, was an unused substitute in the club’s past two Championship matches.

Smith’s last league appearance came during a loan spell with Derby back in October, but he gained valuable game time by playing more than an hour of Cherries’ development squad friendly with Brighton on Monday.

And although the former Dean Court loanee is still building up his match fitness, old mate Arter reckons he will soon be pushing regular right-back Simon Francis for his first-team berth.

Arter told the Daily Echo: “Smithy is a good friend of mine. He is a funny lad and I am sure he will fit into the group really well.

“The manager is not only good at signing quality players, but people with the right personality who will get on well with the people around them.

“That can be just as important and I know that Adam will fit the bill in that respect.

“He has got Franno, who has been one of our best players over the past 18 months, to compete with for a place but the competition will be healthy for the pair of them.

“Adam is quick, sharp and very capable of beating people going forward as well as being a good defender and I’m sure Franno will welcome the natural competition for his place.”

“I can’t stress how well the two of them will work well together in pushing each other to become better players. Both have the mentality to excel and that can only benefit the team.”