Harry Arter hasn't had the easiest of journeys to the top, and now the he plays at most elite level of English football, it hasn't gotten any easier.
The Bournemouth midfielder's season has been bedeviled with injury and personal tragedy, but yet Arter manfully soldiers on as he fights to keep the Cherries out of the relegation zone and secure Premier League football for another year.
However, top flight survival isn't the only thing on Arter's mind at the moment, as he looks to book a place in Martin O'Neill's Ireland squad for this summer's European Championships.
With pre-tournament friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia coming up in March, Arter feels that is the perfect time to force his way into O'Neill's plans, despite the short nature of his international career.
"A year ago I wasn't even in one of the squads, I feel privileged to have been named in one of them, let alone to have made my debut.
"The main thing now is to try to perform and keep Bournemouth in the Premier League and when the Ireland games do pop up in March to convince him (O'Neill) that I am already good enough," Arter told the Sunday Times.
The 26 year old made his Irish debut against his country of birth last June, when he replaced Glenn Whelan against England at the Aviva Stadium.
Source: Youtube/ AFC Bournemouth
However, Arter had to pull out of the crucial game against Scotland days later due to yet another injury, this time the groin.
"I would have gone out there and played on one leg, but I remember taping my groin so tight that I couldn't feel anything in my leg that high up.
"I remember getting through the game on adrenaline, but after that game I had to be honest with O'Neill and say 'I can't physically do it any more.'
"I thought a bit of rest would cure it, but that was the start of a four or five month period where it was hell really."
The midfielder has been tormented by injury this season, with a 12 week lay off delaying his debut in the Premier League, but it was all put into perspective following the loss of his baby during childbirth in December.
Arter explained that the personal tragedy was difficult to deal with, but was thankful to his team mates that rallied around him support, as well his brother-in-law, Scott Parker, who currently plies his trade with Fulham.
"Scott has made very good decisions in his career and in his personal life and it was nice to fall back upon him.
"Something similar happened to him going back a few years when he lost his father the day before a game. He said how he got through it and what gave him strength and I probably try to bring some of that into my life."
The advice was heeded and Arter decided to line-out for Bournemouth against Manchester United just days later, and he delivered a barnstorming performance in the middle of the park as they upset the Red Devils 2-1.
Source: Youtube/ AFC Bournemouth
It hasn't been the easiest of years for Arter on or off the pitch, but he is still looking forward to the future rather than the past, and with a European Championships on the horizon, a target has been identified.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
