CHERRIES defender Chris Mepham believes he has given himself “the best possible opportunity” to start Monday’s World Cup opener for Wales.

After some tough spells at Cherries, with high profile errors, injuries and being left out of the team, Mepham has risen to the challenge this season and been a staple of the team’s top-flight XI.

He had started all of Cherries’ Premier League matches this season, playing all-but eight minutes, until missing Saturday’s win over Everton due to suspension.

Mepham will be looking to add to his 33 caps in Qatar, with Wales set to get their campaign underway against USA on Monday. They will then face Iran and England in Group B.

The 25-year-old is set to compete with the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon and Ben Davies for a starting centre-back berth under boss Rob Page.

“First and foremost, I want to play,” Mepham told Sky Sports.

“I think I’d be lying if I said otherwise. You come here and it’s such a big stage.

“For me it will be a dream to play on this stage.

“My form has been good going into it. I’ve had a good run of games, which is something that I’ve always asked for.

“I’ve given myself the best possible opportunity to be in that starting XI come Monday.”

Asked if progressing out of the group is what Wales have in their sights, Mepham said: “100 per cent, that’s the first thing we’re looking at.

“Come out the group, and see where that takes us. We’re more than good enough, we all know that.”

The warm weather in Qatar has been a talking point this week, with temperatures upwards of 30 degrees.

Discussing how difficult that is making preparations, Mepham said: “It’s tough. Playing in England, it’s obviously a very different climate, different altitude.

“But I think where we’ve had warm weather camps in the past, we went to Portugal before the Euros, you kind of try and acclimatise yourself to it.

“Naturally it’s going to be tougher. You’re going to need to get fluids on board a lot and I’d imagine there could be (drinks) breaks, I’m not sure.

“But we just need to give a good account of ourselves and try and not let the weather and climate affect us.”