CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has praised Harry Arter for cleaning up his disciplinary act.

Arter has missed just one game through suspension this season, the EFL Cup clash at Morecambe in August.

He was ruled out after picking up two yellow cards – the first for dissent – during Cherries’ 1-0 defeat at West Ham four days earlier.

The midfielder walked a tightrope ahead of the mid-season and April amnesties but kept his head and has avoided any further bans with three games remaining.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think he has definitely improved in that respect this season. He has matured and has been able to control his emotions a lot better.

“He still has that fiery streak in him which you never want to take away because that is what makes him the player he is.

“But we can’t afford red cards and ill-discipline. Harry has done well in that aspect since the game at West Ham.”

Arter fell foul of new guidelines regarding dissent towards officials when he was booked by referee Craig Pawson having let rip at his assistant following a handball in the first half against the Hammers.

And just eight minutes before Michail Antonio’s late winner condemned Cherries to defeat at London Stadium, he saw red for a second bookable offence after hauling back Cheikhou Kouyate.

Arter told the Daily Echo: “I said after that game that I felt I had let down the team and I did.

“It is all well and good saying sorry and it won’t happen again but, if it does, even 15 or 20 games later, you haven’t learned from your mistakes.

“My discipline was something I had always wanted to improve and, thankfully, that has been the only ban I have had from the start of the season until now so I have been pleased with that side.”

Arter felt he had been unfortunate to receive a 10th booking of the season following a mass brawl during Cherries’ win at Sunderland seven days ago.

He reacted angrily and remonstrated with Fabio Borini after the Italian’s lunging tackle on Lewis Cook had sparked a melee between players from both camps.

Cherries and the Black Cats were subsequently charged by the FA for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. The clubs had until 6pm last night to respond.