Eddie Howe: 'Jack Wilshere has lifted spirit of Bournemouth players'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 08 September 2016

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe admits that Jack Wilshere's impact is already being felt at Dean Court, just eight days on from the Englishman joining on loan.

Eddie Howe has insisted that Jack Wilshere has already made an impact at Bournemouth due to his work ethic on the training ground.

The England international made a surprise loan switch to Dean Court on transfer deadline day after being told by parent club Arsenal that he could seek a temporary move away to gain regular playing time.

Wilshere has spent the past week training with his new teammates and was handed his non-competitive debut in the 2-1 friendly defeat to AC Milan last weekend.

With a Premier League tie against West Bromwich Albion now on the horizon, Howe has suggested that he is willing to throw Wilshere straight into the mix for a starting spot.

"Jack has settled in very well," he told reporters. "He's settled into the changing room and the dynamics of the group seamlessly. He has been very bright and good in training.

"As you would expect his quality on the ball is obvious and his technical ability is of a very high level. We'll wait and see what my team selection is, but I think he has naturally given the place a lift. There's been a positive impact around the squad."

Wilshere played an hour of football combined for Arsenal in the opening weeks of the season before completing his loan move to the south coast.