Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe sees improvements in Jack Wilshere

28 October 2016 11:23

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe insists Jack Wilshere's loan is proving beneficial to both parties despite the Arsenal midfielder completing 90 minutes only once for the Cherries.

The 24-year-old's career has been beset by injury problems and e yebrows were raised at the end of the summer transfer window when he agreed to leave his parent club Arsenal and join Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal.

But the bold move to get his career back on track seems to be heading in the right direction. Last weekend Wilshere started and completed a Premier League match for the first time since September 2014 - and it was the sixth successive league game in which he has taken part for the Cherries.

The significance is not lost on Howe and he is pleased with the positive influence the midfielder is having on his squad.

"We're delighted to have him, as we've said many, many times," said Howe at his press conference on Friday morning ahead of the Premier League trip to Middlesbrough.

"I think he's an outstanding footballer and I was delighted to see him play 90 minutes. It's a big moment for him, no doubt. And a big moment for us because we want Jack performing at his very best levels and I think if he is then we are going to be a lot better team for that.

"I think he's improving with every game and in training as well he has been great around the squad so it has been beneficial for both parties so far."

Bournemouth head to the Riverside on Saturday still looking for their first away win of the season in the Premier League but Howe believes his team will soon break their duck.

He said: "Football is an amazing game, last season we did really well away from home and struggled at home and in the early stages of this season it's kind of been reversed.

"But it's still early days and I don't think there's anything wrong with our away performances. At Watford arguably we should have won and Crystal Palace we were seconds away from winning.

"We've had some tough games apart from that but I think it's in our hands and we can change that if we really believe we can, we're making progress."

Boro have yet to win at home this season but Howe does not think that will make his side's task any easier.

"They don't concede many goals," he said. " I remember we had many solid battles in the Championship and it was an interesting rivalry.

"They haven't won at home, but they got a good point against Arsenal last week in a game they could have won - that'll be a boost for them.

"I think it's early stages to read a lot into what's happened so far, it's still early steps and I'm expecting a tight game."

Source: PA