HARRY Arter admitted he had been flattered by compliments from Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill but insisted promotion with Cherries remained his number one focus.

Londoner Arter, who qualifies for the Republic through his grandmother, was thrust into the limelight in December when he scored in all five of Cherries’ Championship games.

The 25-year-old later won the PFA fans’ player-of-the-month award days after a chance meeting with O’Neill during Fulham’s 0-0 FA Cup draw with Wolves on January 3 – a tie Arter had attended to watch brother-in-law Scott Parker in action.

The former Republic youth international, who had already been watched by O’Neill this season, admitted the draw of a first full cap was significant.

He told the Daily Echo: “Playing international football is the highest level you can play and it’s something I would love to achieve. It would be a proud day for me and for my family.

“The manager (O’Neill) has come to watch me a couple of times now and, hopefully, I’ve impressed him.

“I’d definitely say this is the best opportunity I’ve given myself. Not just because I’ve scored a few goals but also because I’m at a team that’s top of the Championship and there are players in the squad that are at teams that are aren’t doing as well as us.

“I’d like to think I’ve played my part in getting the team where we are in the league and, hopefully, the national manager has recognised that, and it seems like he has by coming to watch and assess me.

“I met him by chance and he was really complimentary on how I’ve done this year. He just said he would keep watching and told me to keep doing well, and to see what happens at the next internationals.”

The Boys in Green are next in action in a Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Poland on March 29, while June is set to bring a home friendly against England and a further Euro qualifier against visitors Scotland.

However, Arter is adamant that his primary aim is to achieve success with Cherries in the Championship rather than to earn his international spurs.

He added: “Ireland is one of those things that I don’t want to think about too much because I haven’t played before and I’m not expecting to get in the squad.

“My main focus is just on making sure Bournemouth stay top of the league and carry on doing well as a team.

“International honours is an individual thing and it’s not something I’m focusing too much on because my main ambition is to make sure we get promoted.

“But it would be ideal if we got promoted and I got called up. That would be a perfect season.”