CHERRIES star Harry Arter revealed he would forever be indebted to Eddie Howe for “taking a chance on me when I needed it most”.

Arter, rescued by Howe from the football scrapheap, is set to make his 250th appearance for Cherries when they host Premier League rivals Burnley on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old was plucked by Howe from Woking for the princely sum of £4,000 in 2010, having dropped into non-league following his release by Charlton.

A key figure in Cherries’ rise from the depths of League One, Arter was crowned supporters’ player of the year when they clinched promotion to the top flight in 2014-15.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Arter said: “The gaffer has been brilliant for me.

“Ever since he signed me, I have always tried to do it for myself and also to try to repay the faith he showed in me all those years ago.

“He took a chance on me when I was playing non-league. A lot of other managers turned me down but he took a risk and I took that as a massive compliment.

“It was brave of him at the time, especially as the club had just been promoted to League One. It would have been easy for him to look for players in League Two or the Conference but he looked in Conference South.

“Having been released by Charlton, I always knew my next chance in the pro game would probably be my last as well. I wasn’t going to give up without a fight and will always be thankful to him for giving me that opportunity.”

Asked about his impending appearance milestone, Arter said: “It will be a proud moment. I have played lot of games and had a lot of good times. Hopefully, we can top it off with a good result.

“I feel very fortunate to have been involved with the club and the rise. I have loved every minute of it.

“The way the club has progressed since I have been here has been unbelievable.

“I have been scratching my head trying to think of low points and that says everything about my time here.”

Arter, who penned a new four-year contract in July, was last week the subject of newspaper reports linking him with both West Ham and Crystal Palace.

“It was a bit of a surprise,” said the Republic of Ireland international. “I haven’t heard anything and am just going about my normal business.

“You have to ignore these things because it is the only thing you can do. I am contracted to this club and my full focus is on AFC Bournemouth.

“I have been in the game long enough to know things like this happen and players get linked with clubs.

“I signed a four-year deal in the summer and have got my head down and concentrated on trying to stay in the team.

“My focus is purely on trying to get positive results for us and nothing else.”