Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter has defended his nasty challenge on Joe Allen during Saturday's draw with Stoke City.

It wasn't until he saw a rerun himself, however, that Arter appreciated why the tackle had caused such a stir.

He told the Daily Echo: "At the time I thought I got the ball. But I have seen it again and it looked worse than I thought it was.

"My only intention was to win the ball. In real time, hand on heart, I didn't think it would be a free-kick.

"I have never committed a tackle like that – that is not the sort of player I am. I have never gone in for a tackle and hurt anybody. And I would never hope to do that. I apologised quite a few times to Joe – straight afterwards and at half-time.

"He felt the force of the tackle and was unhappy about it. I want to say, his reaction was good. He didn't roll around and try to get me sent off.

"I really appreciate that. If I did catch him I certainly didn't mean to."