JACK Wilshere says a fear of rejection is driving him on during his year-long stay with Cherries.

The midfielder was excluded from the first two England squads named after last summer's European Championship, before being recalled for the Three Lions' most recent get-together in November.

And Wilshere is desperately hoping to be spared the agony of missing out again tomorrow, when Gareth Southgate announces a 23-man party for forthcoming matches against Germany and Lithuania,

Wilshere told the Daily Echo: "Of course I want to be in it. That’s why I came to Bournemouth.

"I have missed out on a few squads, I know what that feels like and I don’t want to be in that position again.

"I will keep working hard. The only thing you can do as a player, whoever you are, is work hard on the pitch for your club, week in, week out.

"Then it is up to the England manager to decide whether to pick you."

Wilshere has not started either of Cherries' past two matches after an ankle problem forced him off during last month's defeat at West Bromwich.

He didn't feature at all in his team's draw at Manchester United and remained on the bench until the final five minutes of Saturday's victory over West Ham, when he played a significant part in Joshua King's winning strike.

"I’m alright," said Wilshere. "It was just a knock. It was one of those that stopped me training for a few days, but I gradually got back into training and I feel good."

The 25-year-old is due to return to Arsenal – where his contract expires in summer 2018 – following his stint with Cherries.

Asked by the Daily Echo about his plans beyond this season, Wilshere said: "I’m not thinking about it. I have one year left at Arsenal and as soon as the season ends I will sit down and start thinking about it.

"My main concern at the moment is trying to keep Bournemouth in this league, because no matter what happens next year – if I’m here, if I’m not, or if I’m at Arsenal or whatever – no one wants a relegation against their name.

"You don’t want be involved in a team that is relegated.

"That is what we are trying to do now, put Bournemouth in a good position, then at the end of the season I will think about it."

Wilshere, who has started 19 Premier League games for Cherries, has been struck by the collective spirit at the club.

And he believes that trait will be decisive in the team's bid to climb clear of trouble.

"Nobody has ever questioned our character," added Wilshere.

"We’re a hungry bunch who want to do well. The games we haven’t done well in, we have always been up for it and had that fight in us.

"In other games, though, we’ve missed a chance and our heads have gone down.

"But we missed two penalties against West Ham and Kingy bounced back and scored a hat-trick."