GROOM Simon Francis says Harry Arter must put international football first – even though it means he will miss the Cherries skipper's wedding.

The duo became close friends following Francis's arrival at Dean Court six years ago, the defender joking their bromance remains unrivalled in the dressing room.

However, Arter is unable to attend his comrade's big day tomorrow as Republic of Ireland are due to face Uruguay in Dublin (6pm).

The friendly clash comes seven days before Martin O'Neill's side take on visitors Austria in a crucial World Cup qualifier, with Arter hoping to play his part in securing his team's safe path to Russia next year.

And Francis believes his team-mate is absolutely right to prioritise international commitments over his own big day.

Francis told the Daily Echo: "I've known Harry a long time and he's a close friend.

"You want to share your wedding day with friends and family, certainly, but the bigger picture is he has the chance of playing international football and in World Cup qualifiers, and that's massive for him.

"It's a huge time for him and I can't put that pressure on him to say he has got to come. It would have been nice to have him there but sometimes football is more important."

Arter, who has recently been recovering from ankle and Achilles problems as well as a dead leg, did not travel to New Jersey for Ireland's 3-1 friendly defeat to Mexico in the early hours of Friday morning.

The 27-year-old had been due to link up with the squad on this side of the Atlantic, while O'Neill indicated Marc Wilson's hopes of featuring had been impacted by a lack of game time during his loan spell at West Brom.

Reflecting on his friendship with Arter, Francis joked that only Joshua King and Adam Smith, and Benik Afobe and former loan star Jack Wilshere had come close to replacing them as Cherries' closest bosom buddies.

He said: "Kingy and Smudge had a holiday together last summer so they were trying to out-bromance us, but that kind of fizzled out a bit.

"Jack and Benik were inseparable for a little while but me and Harry have remained the strongest, no one can break us up!

"He's a good lad, I get on well with him."

Francis will tie the knot with Ashley Chivers, the mother of his two children, Halle and Jude. The couple have been engaged for five years and a sizeable Cherries contingent is due to be present when they wed.

"We wanted to wait for the right time and now it has come round," added the defender.

"I'd like to say I've been getting involved in planning but the honest truth is I haven't had to do a lot apart from just turn up!

"She has been great at supporting me in the past few years and being able to go home to her and the kids after a good result is great.

"I'm looking forward to the day and also being in the Premier League again next season."