Cherries new boy Harry Arter admits he will have plenty to prove on his return to Charlton – providing he gets the nod from boss Eddie Howe.

Arter will be hoping to feature when Cherries kick off their League One campaign against his former club at the Valley tomorrow (3pm).

The 20-year-old midfielder, who staked his claim for a start during a fruitful pre-season, spent 11 years on the books at the south London outfit.

But after rejecting the offer of a month-to-month contract from current Charlton boss Phil Parkinson, Arter dropped into the non-league ranks with Woking.

“Everybody wants to start the first game,” said Arter, who signed a two-year deal after impressing Howe and Jason Tindall when he helped Woking to the Conference South play-offs last season.

“But it would mean a bit more to me because it is against Charlton so I am probably more eager than everyone else.

“I’d had a lot of injuries while I was there and they thought I was injury-prone. But I felt I was over them and deserved more than month-to-month.

“Leaving was really hard. I’d just got back to fitness and thought I was doing well enough to have got a (longer-term) deal. It wasn’t a complete shock though. It was a disappointment and there is always bitterness when something like that happens to any player.

“I had been there since I was eight and it was hard to say goodbye. Also, knowing there wasn’t a club that wanted to sign me was tough. But I got my head down, worked hard and, fortunately, I am back in the league.”

Arter is one of a number of players waiting to discover whether they will be named in the Cherries starting line-up for the club’s first game back in the third tier following a two-year absence.

“Of course, I would like to go back and try to prove them wrong,” said Sidcup-born Arter, who was brought up just five minutes from Charlton’s training ground. “Whatever excuse they gave me, they didn’t really want me any more.

“But I wouldn’t overdo it. I’m a Bournemouth player now and that is the most important thing. If I get the chance, I will have a job to do for the team rather than trying to impress for myself. My priority now is trying to play well for Bournemouth.”

Among the crowd at the Valley will be Arter’s father Terry, mother Linda and his nine-year-old brother Paddy.

“A lot of my family and friends are coming so, hopefully, I’ll get the nod to play,” added Arter, whose brother-in-law Scott Parker also came through the ranks at Charlton.

“I can’t get tickets for everybody though so they will have to buy their own!

“A lot has changed at Charlton over the past three years and there has been a massive dip in crowds. They still get behind the team though and the atmosphere should be good. We’re confident we can go there and give a good account of ourselves.”