HARRY Arter has shrugged off speculation linking him with Championship clubs, insisting his focus is solely on repaying Cherries’ faith.

The cultured midfielder last week agreed terms on an improved three-year deal at Seward Stadium.

Arter was rewarded with the contract after producing a series of impressive displays for boss Lee Bradbury this season.

The playmaker’s form was understood to have attracted the attention of rivals clubs – with Crystal Palace, Watford, Cardiff and Brighton all believed to have been monitoring his progress.

Daily Echo sources suggested at least two clubs had made enquiries about Arter last week following his fine performance against Hartlepool.

But the former Charlton Athletic trainee, signed from non-league Woking by former manager Eddie Howe, said such talk was of no interest to him after tying himself to Cherries until June 2014.

Asked about the speculation after helping Cherries earn a 0-0 draw at Tranmere on Saturday, Arter told the Daily Echo: “I haven’t heard anything and it doesn’t interest me.

“I signed a long-term deal here and I want to repay the club for giving me the chance to come out of non-league, and repay Bradders for giving me my chance.

“I never heard anything about it.”

When asked if being linked was flattering, he said: “Of course it is.

“Every player wants to play as high as they can and if I have attracted attention from higher clubs, then so be it.

“But at the moment, I have showed I am happy here. It is flattering but it hasn’t gone to my head.”

The 21-year-old has become a first-team regular this term after earning the opportunity to replace outgoing midfielders Danny Hollands and Anton Robinson in Cherries’ new-look side.

However, Cherries will have to do without Arter against Yeovil Town tomorrow after he collected his fifth booking of the season on Saturday. The Londoner was cautioned for dissent after disputing the award of a corner late in the second half.

Arter added: “I was really disappointed. They had a couple of corners beforehand which they nearly scored from.

“I am an honest boy and the ball did not touch me one bit. I panicked and thought ‘if they score from this, I am going to be really upset’.

“I had said in recent weeks that I had been trying to control my aggression and control it in a positive way. On Saturday, unfortunately it got the better of me and I got booked. It is definitely something I am conscious of and I am not going to let it happen any more.”