TYRONE Mings revealed he had instigated a positional switch – and is hoping to nail down a spot at the centre of the Cherries defence.

Mings, who signed two years ago having impressed at left-back for Ipswich, has revelled in his new role since being converted by boss Eddie Howe.

The 24-year-old, who this week signed a new long-term contract, said: “I really enjoy it. From the centre of the pitch, you can see a lot more of the game and maybe be involved in a lot more co-ordinating of the team, which is something I enjoy.

“I have always been quite vocal on the pitch and like to broadcast my feelings.

“The change of position came when I was injured. I went to the manager to ask if it was something we could look at.

“My playing style lends itself to centre-back with my height, strength and athleticism. They are key characteristics for a modern day centre-back.

“Luckily, it was something the manager said he had been thinking about as well so the timing was great.

“When I was coming back from injury, I was able to join in with part of the centre-back sessions to gauge whether it would be for me. If I had looked out of my depth then I could have tried to improve as a left-back.

“As it happened, I really enjoyed it and the manager has put a lot of trust in me and, hopefully, with the new contract, I can start repaying him.”

Mings, who caught the eye as part of a back three against Manchester City, will be hoping to keep his place when Cherries visit Arsenal.

Asked whether he thought it would be a good time to face the Gunners, he replied: “I don’t know whether there are good and bad times to play teams.

“They could be right up for it because they have had so much negative press recently so there are two ways to look at it.

“They have had some indifferent results and we have had not great results.

“I don’t think it’s a great time to play Arsenal. A great time to play them would be if they had 20 injuries.

“With the players they have, they can cause you all sorts of problems on any day.

“The only way we can influence the game is by going there and impacting and imposing ourselves on them.

“The most important thing is to take the positives from the Manchester City game when we showed fight and resilience.

“If we show the same character for the rest of the season, it will stand us in good stead.

“The manager builds his teams on hard work, desire and very good football ability.”

Mings is in competition with record signing Nathan Ake, player of the year Steve Cook and club captain Simon Francis.

“It’s never been easy for me so I’m not expecting anything different now!” said Mings.

“We have good competition for places in every position and the manager doesn’t play people based on tags.

“I came here two years ago as the record signing and didn’t start the first three games. He doesn’t factor in things like that because he just wants to win games and wants the best people playing.

“I just need to prove to him that I am worthy of a place. I need to be better than the other players whatever tags are attached to them.”