CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe believes Harry Arter’s international call-up was a fitting reward for his high level of consistency this season.

Arter was named earlier this month in a provisional 35-man squad for the Republic of Ireland’s European Championship qualifier against Poland on Sunday.

And his chances of winning a first full cap were boosted yesterday when he retained his place after the squad had been whittled down by manager Martin O’Neill.

The midfielder, a bargain £4,000 buy from non-league Woking in 2010, has been a key figure in Cherries’ rise to the top of the Championship.

Arter has hit eight goals in 36 appearances and netted a stunner – and had a hand in both penalties – during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Harry was terrific and it was probably one of the best performances I have seen from him. That is a real compliment considering some of the others he has given this season.

“His pass to Callum Wilson for the first penalty was great and his goal was outstanding. His energy and distribution were of the top level.

“With the international call-up, it has been a really good spell for him and, hopefully, there is more to come. I know he was very proud to have been called up by Ireland and rightly so.

“I think he has deserved it because he has been consistent for a long time. I have worked with him for a while and have seen the improvement in his game. I think he is ready.”

Asked whether he felt Arter needed to shoot more and have some Frank Lampard selfishness about him, Howe joked: “I think he has that selfishness – that was tongue in cheek!”

He added: “I have always said he has goals in him. You don’t find many who players who can strike a ball like that with their left and right foot. It is very unusual and that is what separates him from a lot of his peers.

“He is so good technically and he arrives well in the box. You saw that with his driving run from midfield for the debatable penalty. He can score all different types of goals and, hopefully, there are more of them to come as well.”

Arter was due to link up with the squad yesterday to start preparing for a crucial contest which sees the Republic, currently fourth and level on seven points with Germany and Scotland, face the leaders.

And should he feature against the Poles in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Arter could come face to face with Cherries loan star Artur Boruc.