HARRY Arter is adamant summer signing Jermain Defoe is not winding down at Cherries.

Defoe might be the oldest outfield player in Eddie Howe's squad but midfielder Arter says the 34-year-old is "probably the sharpest player in training".

And he is certain the former Tottenham and West Ham frontman will bang in the goals to keep Cherries in the Premier League for a fourth straight season.

Arter told the Daily Echo: "You see a lot of clubs bring in players who have played at a high level throughout their career and sometimes they don't show the same application towards the end.

"But Jermain is full of energy. He is probably the sharpest player in training and is great off the pitch as well, so I'm enjoying working with him.

"I don't know how he could be any sharper. Everyone knows how great finisher he is. For someone who has achieved so much in the game, his enthusiasm is unbelievable.

"Scoring goals is all he wants to do and that is something which will only benefit us. I have no doubt we will create chances for him and he will put them away."

In much the same way that former loan star Jack Wilshere did before him, Defoe has quickly become a key component in the Cherries dressing room.

Arter said: "Jermain has embraced being here. Given the way he's been with the lads, it's almost like he's been here for years.

"He is a top man and a top professional and one who is not only going to benefit us on the pitch but also off it.

"The manager does his homework on players before he brings them in and Jermain has bought in to what we do here."

Defoe hit 15 goals for Sunderland last season before activating a relegation release clause in his contract which enabled him to move to Cherries on a free transfer.

The England international, who remains hopeful of featuring in next year's World Cup in Russia, made his first appearance since signing for Cherries in last Saturday's friendly win over Portsmouth, entering the fray for the final 31 minutes.

Arter played the opening hour at Fratton Park and will hope to feature this weekend when his team travel to QPR on Saturday before hosting Spanish outfit Valencia 24 hours later (both 3pm).

The Republic of Ireland international added: "It's not just the games we are not used to, it's the hard weeks of training we've had in the build up to the game.

"During the season, you don't train anything near as hard during the week but that's what pre-season is all about.

"It was good to get another win against Portsmouth. I felt the performance was a slight improvement on when we played Estoril in Marbella but the ultimate goal was to get fitness.

"We are doing that during the week and we are able to do it on a matchday as well."