EDDIE Howe insists Cherries have a duty of care towards marquee signing Jack Wilshere - both for Arsenal’s benefit as much as their own.

Wilshere made his competitive Cherries debut from the bench during Saturday’s 1-0 win over West Brom having last played a 90-minute match almost two years ago following a horrendous sequence of serious injuries.

Wilshere could find himself among the substitutes again for tomorrow’s trip to Manchester City (3pm), with Howe insisting his backroom team had been managing the England star’s workload since his loan switch from North London.

Howe said: “We need to protect Jack and the team. He has had a long time out and he is building his fitness. We have had to be careful with his training time as our aim is to make sure he is fit for the majority of our games this season rather than just focusing on the next few.

“He is getting there and I have been pleased with how he has trained. I would add that we are very thankful to Arsenal for trusting us with one of their prized assets and we have had regular contact with their sports science teams.”

Asked if he had been in touch with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger regarding Wilshere’s progress, Howe replied: “Arsene and I will talk but we haven’t been in touch so far, although Arsenal are taking a big interest in what he is doing.

“I’ve been so impressed with Jack in general. He has been very professional off the pitch, too, meeting supporters and there is no attitude that says ‘I am bigger than Bournemouth’. It’s a huge compliment to him and his family.”

Wilshere turned in an impressive second-half performance as Cherries’ secured their first league victory of the campaign against the Baggies, the midfielder playing his part during the build-up to Callum Wilson’s winner.

Howe added: “I thought Jack had a big impact when he came on and the game was in the balance.

"We had lost a bit of the control we had in the first half and I thought he wrestled that back for us.

“He was a big factor in us winning the game. He has outstanding quality and I would like to see him in the team as quickly as possible but it’s a delicate balance. We have to think of the long term we want him to play a lot of games for us.”