JACK’S CHERRY AID

Wilshere eyes a quick return to the top flight

SHARED AMBITIONS Bournemouth want a swift Prem return – and so does Jack Wilshere

JACK WILSHERE has already set his sights on a return to the Premier League after rejoining Bournemouth.

The former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder will spend the rest of the season with the Cherries having put pen to paper on a short-term contract.

And the 29-year-old, who had been training with the club to regain fitness, wants to help them win promotion from the Championship.

Wilshere, a free agent after leaving the Hammers and who played on loan at Bournemouth four seasons ago, said: “I am ready to go. Hopefully I can be available straight away.

“It feels great to be back and I can’t wait to get started. From the minute I walked through the door three weeks ago, it felt natural and like I had never been away.

“I’d been training on my own and I had a lot of time to reflect on what I wanted to do. I want to help the team.

“I know a lot of the players and staff here and I’m pleased they allowed me to train initially, and then it just went from there.

“I’ve been impressed by the coaching staff, the way they work and the ambitions of the club to get back in the Premier League.

“We all share the same ambitions and I’m looking forward to playing my part in helping achieve those.”

Wilshere becomes Bournemouth’s first signing of the

January window and goes straight into the squad to face Wayne

Rooney’s Derby tonight.

He has not played since he featured in West Ham’s 5-1 win over Hull in the FA Cup in September and managed only 10 appearances last season.

But Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake, said: “I’m delighted that Jack has returned to the club on a permanent contract.

“In the three weeks he has been training with us we have seen hunger and desire to match his undoubted talent, and he will add some great attributes to our midfield over the coming months.”

Wilshere, who started his career at Arsenal, made 27 appearances with the Cherries in his previous loan spell in 2016-17 (left).

He played a key role in the club achieving their highest Premier League finish of ninth.

And Blake added: “He is a fantastic footballer whose quality has been evident since breaking into the Arsenal first team as a 16-year-old.

“We loved having him here on loan, he loved being here and he had a huge impact on the club both on and off the pitch.”