BEN Pearson commented how it had been “difficult” operating on the fringes of the Cherries first team prior to his loan to Stoke City.

Combative midfielder Pearson joined Championship strugglers Stoke on loan until the end of the season on deadline day, leaving the Vitality Stadium after finding gametime hard to come by under Gary O’Neil.

Since Cherries’ promotion to the top flight, the 28-year-old has only started three Premier League fixtures, which all came under previous boss Scott Parker at the beginning of the campaign.

The former Preston man then sustained a knee injury during Cherries’ record-equalling 9-0 defeat at Anfield, ruling him out for seven games.

Speaking to Stoke City’s social media following the loan switch, Pearson shared: “It's been difficult.

“I think I've spent, I don't know, the first seven, eight years of my career playing probably every game, week in week out.

“We got promotion last year and then you go to the Premier League and it's a lot more difficult, I think.

“Found it tough to get consistent games.

“Started the season quite strong, got injured and then it’s a brutal game, football.

“Sort of in and out, coming on a little bit from the bench.

“So it's been difficult for me.

“I think living so far away from home as well whilst you're going through a tough time, not playing makes it so difficult.”

Despite his dogged performances in the middle of the park and tendency to fly in to tackles, Pearson has never been dismissed in his professional career.

Quizzed on this, the midfielder replied: “Probably going down south, maybe softened me up a little bit!

“No, I think to be honest, I haven't had a consistent run in the team so it's been difficult for me.

“I think playing games breeds a bit of confidence and then obviously, playing more games, the more cautions you get, more chances you've got of slipping up.

“So, no, I think it's just about playing games for myself personally.”