TYRONE Mings is hoping his versatility will assist his fight for regular football at Cherries.

The 23-year-old defender made his third Premier League start at Everton earlier this month before replacing the injured Simon Francis during the first half of the defeat to Manchester City.

An £8million arrival from Ipswich in the summer of 2015, Mings was primarily deployed as a left-back by his former club but has been used in the heart of defence this term.

Mings is continuing to find his feet following a serious knee injury suffered early in his Cherries career.

Mings told the Daily Echo: “As a player, all you want to do is play so the fact I was given another opportunity to do that was pleasing.

“I learned the role of centre-back as I was coming back from injury. The manager signed me as a left-back so he knew the versatility I could add once I got fit."

The former non-league ace was a half-time replacement for Charlie Daniels against Leicester in August 2015 but lasted only a matter of minutes before being forced off.

Following a lengthy period of rehabilitation, Mings made his comeback in the shock EFL Cup defeat to Preston in September. He has since made six further outings in all competitions this season.