BOSS Eddie Howe believes "fighter" Harry Arter will rediscover the fire to ignite his Premier League campaign.

The Republic of Ireland international was left out of Cherries’ squad for the 1-1 draw against Southampton last time out, having started the previous four top-flight fixtures.

Under-20 World Cup winner Lewis Cook replaced Arter against Saints but the boss insisted his stalwart midfielder still had a “big part to play” in the campaign.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think getting that fire back is absolutely everything to Harry.

“When I picture him at his best he is covering every blade of grass, fighting for every loose ball and is a real driving force for the team.

“We need him back at his best because he is a difference-maker for us. He is an energiser within the group and, when he is playing well, he drives a team forward.

“All those qualities we need and we need them now. We are looking for him to get back to his best form as quickly as possible.”

A key player in Cherries’ rise through the divisions having been snapped up by Howe in 2010, Arter has featured in 10 of the club's 15 Premier League fixtures this season.

He made 35 top-flight appearances during the previous campaign.

The former Charlton youngster will be aiming to return to the squad when Cherries visit Crystal Palace (3pm).

Quizzed on his decision to leave out the 27-year-old last Sunday, Howe said: “I had to pick the team I thought was right for that game so I made the decision I did.

“Harry will bounce back, he has been really good in training this week and I have been very pleased with his reaction to that disappointment.

“I think you want that hurt to then fire those feelings you need to come back and prove people wrong.

“He is a fighter and we need fighters in the team and the squad. We need everyone fighting for the same objective.

“I back that when he gets his form back together, he is going to have a big part to play in our season.”

The omission from Cherries’ squad came as part of a difficult spell for the former Woking man, who made his 250th appearance for the club against Burnley in November.

Arter last month admitted to the Daily Echo he had to get Ireland’s painful World Cup play-off exit “out of my head”.

“I think he has had an up and down season,” added Howe.

“There have been games where he has been good and games where perhaps he has not been as good as he wants to be.

“The disappointment of losing out on the World Cup opportunity and going through those experiences potentially knocked him a little bit.”