EDDIE Howe remains convinced "talented boy" Marc Wilson can play a key role for Cherries and insists "there is a lot more to come" from the Ireland international.

A combination of troublesome injuries and the form of his fellow centre-backs has prevented Wilson's third spell at Vitality Stadium from kicking into gear.

The 29-year-old – a summer signing from Stoke City for an initial £1.5m – is yet to feature in the Premier League this season.

He has struggled recently with a hamstring injury which caused him discomfort in the aftermath of the shock FA Cup defeat to Millwall earlier this month.

Discussing Wilson's tough season to date, Howe told the Daily Echo: "It's been difficult for Marc because he has not had serious injuries but little niggles which have disrupted his training. That's been a shame for him and us.

"For me, training time is the most important part of a player's development. You get to see the end result on a matchday but the training is really important to see their progress and see how they develop into the philosophy we play with.

"When any player picks up niggly injuries, it's frustrating because players want nothing more than to be available for selection and on the pitch.

"Marc has done very well. I think he has improved since he's been with us and I'm sure that will continue to be the case.

"I don't think we've seen the very best from him yet. There is a lot more to come from Marc as he is a talented boy.

"He has great experiences in the game and has been in the Premier League a long time, so there is nothing new in the division for him.

"Hopefully, we can get him back fit and he can stay fit for a long period of time."

Wilson played two games alongside Howe in the Cherries defence in January 2007 having joined on loan from Portsmouth.

The second, a 2-0 defeat at Crewe in League One, proved the final league game of Howe's playing career as knee problems cruelly forced him to retire.

Wilson remained at Dean Court until the end of the season and had a second loan spell in Dorset later in the year, donning the shirt eight times in September and October.

He left Portsmouth in 2010 and spent six years at Stoke before returning to Cherries last summer, making his first appearance since signing permanently in the 2-1 victory over Morecambe in the EFL Cup in August, firing home a fizzing effort from range to win it.

But having played the opening 45 minutes of the shock EFL Cup defeat to Preston in September, Wilson did not feature again until the FA Cup loss to Millwall.

His only other competitive football at elite level this season came when he played 90 minutes of Ireland's 4-0 hammering of Oman at the end of August.