STEVE Cook believes a top-10 finish would give Cherries a useful bargaining chip with which to tempt Jack Wilshere to remain in Dorset.

The future of loan star Wilshere has been the subject of much debate this season with his Arsenal contract due to expire in the summer of 2018.

Asked yesterday if he expected Wilshere to return to Emirates Stadium at the end of the campaign, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: "Yes. We have had no move from Bournemouth for Jack Wilshere."

Wenger's statement came hours after the Telegraph reported Cherries were "unlikely" to make a bid for the England international this summer.

Centre-back Cook counts himself among those who wish to see Wilshere extend his stay at Cherries and he believes climbing the league table could convince the 25-year-old to remain at Vitality Stadium.

Cook, who has not missed a minute of the current league campaign, told the Daily Echo: "The only way Jack will sign is if we finish as high up the league as possible.

"If we can break into the top 10 that would give him more reason to want to stay but we need to improve to make that happen.

"For the long-term future of the club, it would be great to have him here but these last 14 games will go a long way towards determining that.

"He's fitted into the changing room really nicely and added to it and, hopefully, we can get back on form and try to convince him this could be his long-term future. But there is a long way to go to make that happen.

"At the end of the day, it's his decision. There is still a lot of football to be played. I don't think he has thought too much about it.

"The overall goal for him is to play every game and help us get enough wins on the board to remain in this league.

"We want him to stay and with him in the side, he makes us a lot better."

Midfielder Wilshere has made 21 appearances for Cherries this season and has proved a popular figure with supporters, although he is still awaiting his first goal for the south coast club after being denied by the woodwork on a string of occasions.

Wenger stated earlier this season that Arsenal would attempt to agree a new deal with Wilshere, who is reportedly attracting interest from AC Milan and Roma.

Meanwhile, Cherries host high fliers Manchester City on Monday and Cook feels his team have "nothing to lose" against Pep Guardiola's expensively-assembled side.

He added: "We will have to defend better than we have done recently. We know it's going to be a tough game but it's one we're looking forward to.

"No one thinks we are going to get anything from that game so we have nothing to lose and, hopefully, we can take points off Manchester City."