TYRONE Mings got his first taste of action for more than a year and then insisted he was ready to make up for lost time.

The £8million defender played an assured 45 minutes in Saturday’s clash with AC Milan, more than 12 months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear on his Premier League debut for Cherries against Leicester City.

The 23-year-old played in central defence alongside youngster Corey Jordan as the Rossoneri ran out 2-1 winners.

Mings said: “It’s been a long time coming and this game was perfect for me as there’s been a lot of hard work to get to this point. It was good to see the fruits of my labour.

“I have learned a lot about myself on the journey to this point, physically, mentally and about what I should and should not be doing. It’s been a real learning curve but matchdays were the hardest part.

“To sit and watch the club’s first season in the Premier League and not be able to take part was very hard to take. But the lads have done so well to stay up and give us all another go this season.

“I feel like I am not too far away and, hopefully, if the manager called upon me, I wouldn’t let him down. As soon as he needs me I’m ready.”

Asked whether he saw his future in central defence rather than as a full-back, Mings said: “I will play wherever I’m required and I do enjoy playing centre back.

“I’ve learned the position since I came back from injury and I am learning all the time so if I can add that position to my armoury then that can only be a good thing.”

Mings was one of three Cherries stars to suffer serious knee injuries during last season’s top-flight campaign, with Max Gradel also sidelined against Leicester and Callum Wilson three weeks later during the 2-1 defeat at Stoke City.

Mings added: “There was no room for anyone to feel sorry for themselves and we all had to pull together. We certainly bounced off each other’s progress, although Max and Callum came back before me as their injuries were probably a little more straightforward than mine.”

Meanwhile, Mings has told Cherries’ Premier League rivals not to be fooled by ‘silent assassin’ Jack Wilshere.

England international Wilshere turned in an impressive debut against AC Milan having made a high-profile loan switch from Arsenal on transfer deadline day.

Mings said: “For Bournemouth to attract players of his calibre, considering the club’s size and where it has come from, is great and will only improve us.

“He’s a very quiet lad but everyone knows what he can do. A player like him does all his talking with his feet and everyone can see how technically gifted he is.

“Him coming in and people being able to learn from him and to see how he moves, can only be a positive.”