LET’S DO IT FOR JACK
Howe’s safety tribute
BOSS Eddie Howe says Bournemouth are desperate to secure top-flight safety – as a tribute to crocked Jack Wilshere.
Loan star Wilshere will miss the Cherries’ final five games of the season after breaking his leg. Howe, whose side host fellow strugglers Middlesbrough today, said: “The players will want to finish on a high for Jack.
“Whenever you see a team-mate in a moment of difficulty there is a part of you that wants to succeed for that player.
“The squad is very tight and motivated. Everyone is disappointed for Jack.
Liked
“He was very popular in the dressing room. The players enjoyed playing with him and liked him as a person. “He was a central player in our squad and fitted in well. He came here not with the mentality of a loan player but that he was a Bournemouth player for a year. “That endeared him to the players. When you are that popular and see someone go through a difficult time, you feel for the player.”
England midfielder Wilshere has returned to parent club Arsenal for treatment but Howe (above) is keen to see him back at the Vitality Stadium as a cheerleader.
Howe said: “I would love to see Jack back here supporting the club at some point in the future.
“He is naturally down and disappointed that he is going to miss the rest of the season. But he is a positive guy. He will come back from this. His loan spell has been hugely beneficial for us.
“He made a huge contribution off the pitch and on the pitch. You have to remember how young he is and he has a lot of football ahead of him. “Any injury can make it difficult for you to achieve your potential but I have seen him improve physically every week.” As well as Wilshere, Bournemouth will again be without Andrew Surman while fellow midfielder Dan Gosling is to undergo a late fitness test.