CHERRIES’ players are united in their belief that Jack Wilshere is ready to return to the international scene.

Wilshere was excluded from the first England squad selected after the team’s catastrophic Euro 2016 venture. And temporary boss Gareth Southgate this week followed former manager Sam Allardyce’s lead by leaving Wilshere out of his 23-man group for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.

The 24-year-old has started Cherries’ past three Premier League games and on his two most recent outings – against Everton and Watford – there have been signs Wilshere is rekindling his flickering career on the south coast.

“I feel Jack is one of, if not England’s best midfielder when he’s fit,” Cherries midfielder Harry Arter told the Daily Echo.

“He’s certainly fit at the moment. He’s shown his quality in what people might consider a lesser side for him. Until now people could say he’s been at Arsenal and it’s easy in a team like that.

“But he’s come here and he’s performing very well for us. And I have no doubt, when he does go away with them again, he’ll get straight back in that England side and show everyone he’s still an unbelievable player.”

Wilshere’s tally of 34 England caps would likely be more than twice that number were it not for the succession of injury problems that have blighted him in the past five years.

But having had a front row view of the Arsenal loanee in action, fellow midfielder Andrew Surman is in no doubt his new team-mate should have been in Southgate’s thinking.

“Yes, I think so,” said Surman, when asked by the Daily Echo if Wilshere’s form merited a return to the Three Lions fray.

“You can see he’s a class player, all his little touches, little things you maybe don’t notice. He’s great to play alongside, he’s technically very good. You can give him the ball anywhere on the pitch and he’ll keep it for you or create something.

“He’s playing very well. It would have been nice for him to score at Watford (where Wilshere twice struck the post) and I think he deserved a goal. But the main thing for him is fitness. He’s always had that ability, that’s not in question. He’s getting sharper with each game.”

There was further support for Wilshere’s England claims from Callum Wilson. Wilshere has operated in a number 10 role in his side’s past two games. And Cherries striker Wilson, whose goal at Watford advanced his own bid for international honours, says he can count on his accomplished colleague to provide him with a first-class service.

“He’s a great player, with great technical ability,” Wilson told the Daily Echo. “He’ll always see a pass. You just have to make the run and he’ll find you. I’m enjoying playing with him. He’s going to keep improving and, hopefully, will get his goals as well.”