SIMON Francis admitted he had no complaints with Eddie Howe’s decision to leave him out of Cherries’ starting line-up against Cardiff – but vowed to earn back his place.

Club captain Francis replaced new signing David Brooks 67 minutes into Cherries' 2-0 victory against the Welsh outfit at Vitality Stadium.

Francis provided an assist for Callum Wilson’s strike in added time as Cherries recorded their first opening day win in the Premier League.

Asked whether he had expected to be left out, the 33-year-old told the Daily Echo: “It was tough but I had an inkling from the Marseille game that the manager may have done it.

“Nobody could argue because the lads were excellent in that game.

“I couldn’t argue, but I had to show what I could do on Saturday.

“To come on is always tough. It’s been a long time since I have come off the bench. I just want to help the team be in the right mindset and, hopefully, I can.

“If I get a chance, like on Saturday with 25 minutes, you have to try to change the game or keep doing what you are doing as a team to fit into the game straight away.

“I gave away a couple of fouls early on just getting used to the pace of the game but to be able to bomb on and get an assist and make sure we killed off the game was very important.

“I was just happy to come on when I did and help out.”

Francis had only been introduced as a substitute once previously in the Premier League – during a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal last season.

He missed just 33 minutes of Cherries’ first season in the top flight, starting all 38 games.

Only Steve Cook, Nathan Ake, Charlie Daniels and ever-present Asmir Begovic earned more game time than Francis last season.

The Nottingham-born defender revealed boss Howe had taken the time to explain his omission.

“The manager had the respect to pull me to one side on Friday, which he didn’t have to do, but it was great for him to do that,” added Francis.

“He said ‘we need you more now than ever to be a good captain’ and I said I would do what I could in the changing room and when I came on.

“It’s good to put an arm around a player’s shoulder and tell them they are still part of the plans.

“I have the utmost respect for him, he is the best manager by a million miles that I have ever played under and I had to agree with his decision.”

Reflecting on the victory as a whole, the skipper added: “In games against teams which are physical and direct, you have to match them.

“You can’t just play your football at times because you know Cardiff are going to win free-kicks and corners. You have to be defensively sound and I thought we were.

“There were some massive headers from our centre-halves. Asmir made some great saves, we put bodies on the line and that’s what you have to do in the Premier League.”