Wilshere signs for Cherries and may play at Pride Park
BOURNEMOUTH boss Jason Tindall is excited by the prospect of Jack Wilshere joining his promotionchasing squad.
The former Arsenal and West Ham United midfielder has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season and could be involved for the first time when the Cherries play Derby County at Pride Park Stadium tonight (6pm).
Wilshere made 27 appearances for Bournemouth in the Premier League during the 2016-17 season while on loan from the Gunners before his stay was cut short by injury and Tindall believes the 29-year-old has “unfinished business”.
“I’m really pleased to have such a quality player to add to the group. I’ve been really impressed with Jack in the short time he’s been here,” Tindall told the club website.
“He feels himself that he’s still got unfinished business here with the way his (previous) time ended with his injury.
“While he was here it was the best finish in the Premier League the football club had and Jack played a huge, huge part in it. As a player, he’s still got the quality he had then.
“I think he wants to be a part of a team that has an opportunity to try to win something this year. It’s something he hasn’t had for a while and he’s looking forward to trying to help and contribute to that challenge.
“To add someone of Jack’s quality to the group of players we’ve got can only be a good thing for us for the second half of the season.”
Bournemouth head to Pride Park on the back of Saturday’s home defeat to Luton and will be looking to return to winning ways against the struggling Rams.
Swansea City extended their unbeaten run to five Championship games with a 2-0 victory at Barnsley on Saturday and Steve Cooper’s side will be looking to edge closer to league leaders Norwich City when they travel to face Blackburn Rovers tonight.
Rovers have won only one of their last five Championship games and were beaten by Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup recently.
Fourth-placed Watford will be hoping to continue their strong home form against Barnsley. The Hornets have won nine of their 12 League games at Vicarage Road this season, losing only once.
It is another tough assignment for the Tykes, following back-to-back defeats to Swansea and Norwich.
Reading resume league action for the first time since January 2, due to Covid-19 postponements, and Veljko Paunovic’s team will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to four Championship matches.
Coventry City won the reverse fixture in October, inflicting a first League defeat of the campaign on the Royals, but the Sky Blues have won only one of their last five games.
Rotherham United returned to winning ways against the Rams on Saturday and will look to make it successive victories for the first time this season against a Stoke City side without a win in six.