CHRIS Mepham detailed how he ensured he was always ready when called upon after a spell out of the Cherries team.

Welsh international Mepham, who has been one of Cherries’ best performers this campaign, was restored to the starting XI for the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.

In recent weeks, Cherries have operated with two central defenders, Marcos Senesi and Jack Stephens currently Gary O’Neil’s preferred partnership at the back.

However, with the switch to five defenders for the visit of City, Mepham was able to make his first start since the 1-0 defeat away to Brighton at the start of February.

Discussing his spell on the bench, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “It’s always tough when you're out of the team.

“I had a good run of games and you feel good, you feel like you’ve got momentum on your side and then when you come out it's important that you need to stay ready.

“And it's shown last couple of games, Marcos (Senesi) gets injured against Newcastle and suddenly you've been thrown back in.

“If you're not ready and you're not expecting that and you're not prepared for that, then you could end up not playing so well.

“For me, it's just been important to stay fit, keep my standards, keep training them well, and then when you get an opportunity, just try and showcase yourself.”

After facing Arsenal’s title rivals City last time out, Cherries face a gauntlet of fixtures, with the trip to the Emirates preceding a lunchtime clash with Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium the following weekend.

Cherries are yet to defeat a side positioned in the top half of the table this campaign, their best results against the division’s upper class the pair of draws with Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.

“We've got two more big games coming up,” began Mepham.

“Well, every game is a massive game.

“But, big opposition coming up now, so I think that was good test for us (the Manchester City game).

“Hopefully we can tweak some things and try and be better prepared for Arsenal Saturday.”