Harry Arter hungry to be part of the Republic's bid for World Cup qualification

02 September 2016 07:23

Harry Arter's Euro 2016 heartache has served to make him all the more hungry to be part of the Republic of Ireland's bid for World Cup qualification.

The 26-year-old Bournemouth midfielder appeared to have one foot on the plane when he suffered a thigh injury on the eve of the Republic's departure for France and was left out of the final 23.

As his team-mates went about their business, he was left to watch on television, and while he was able to enjoyed their success in reaching the last 16, he has admitted his frustration at not being able to help and is desperate to play his part in the new campaign, which gets under way in Serbia on Monday evening.

Arter said: "I always wanted to play, always wanted to go, but it wasn't to be this time around. I just used it to try to fuel me to look forward to those type of moments and hopefully I will be involved in the future.

"I booked a holiday with my friends and then my girlfriend and just enjoyed myself, really, relaxed and tried to get myself fit.

"I enjoyed watching it. Everyone did the country proud and it was enjoyable watching it."

Arter's international career is yet to really take off in the 15 months since he made his senior debut as a substitute in a 0-0 friendly draw with England in June last year.

Injury problems have limited him to just two further appearances, the second of them in the 4-0 friendly victory over Oman on Wednesday evening, and that is a further source of frustration.

He said: "It's been really disappointing to miss any football, whether I was playing international or just at Bournemouth, but obviously the added blow to that was the Euros. That was a disappointing one to miss out.

"But with football, there are always games, everyone is always looking to the next game rather than looking back and that's what I have been focussing on."

Arter could get his chance in Belgrade following James McCarthy's return to Everton to get a groin injury assessed - and he is ready to take the opportunity whenever or wherever it arrives.

He said: "If there were 10 friendlies in a row, I'd love to be playing in them. Regardless of what competition it is, I'd always want to be picked.

"But equally, I'm happy to play any role the manager wants me to play."

Source: PA