JACK Wilshere will have “a big chance to play” for Cherries during the season run-in, insists boss Jonathan Woodgate.

Some fans voiced their frustrations online at the weekend when Wilshere was left as an unused substitute during the 3-2 defeat to Barnsley at Vitality Stadium.

And that spell on the bench is just the latest in a string of recent games in which the former England international has had to watch on from the sidelines.

After returning for his second stint at Cherries, Wilshere made an instant impact, scoring against Crawley Town in the FA Cup in his first start.

The 29-year-old, who was a free agent after leaving West Ham in October, continued to build up his minutes in the following weeks in the Championship under former boss Jason Tindall.

When Tindall departed and was replaced by Woodgate, Wilshere again impressed from the off, providing a goal and assist in a victory over Birmingham City in the new manager’s first game in charge.

But since then, game time has been limited for the ex-Arsenal star.

Wilshere has started just two of the nine games which have followed the win over the Blues, coming off the bench twice and not featuring at all in the other five.

That includes missing the trip to Bristol City having been suspended following a late red card against Watford.

Woodgate has instead preferred the likes of Jefferson Lerma, Ben Pearson, Philip Billing and, before his devastating injury blow, Lewis Cook as his central midfield options.

Asked what Wilshere had to do to get more minutes, Woodgate told the Daily Echo: “Jack’s there or thereabouts. He’s been training really, really well.

“With Lewis Cook’s injury, Jack’s going to have a big chance to play. I thought Lewis had been doing terrifically well before he got injured.

“So now Jack’s got a chance. Jack’s a top quality footballer, there’s no doubt about that.

“What I will say about Jack is that he’s led. When he hasn’t been in the team, he’s led in training. So he showed what a fantastic attitude he’s got. He knows the job when he gets out on the pitch.”

When Woodgate first took charge of the side last month, he explained how Wilshere needed time to “get all the sharpness back”.

But he believes the midfielder is now ready to really make his mark in the final 10 games of the Championship campaign, starting against Swansea City this evening (7.45pm).

Discussing Wilshere’s fitness, Woodgate said: “We’ve been doing a lot of work with him and he seems in a really good place.

“I’m delighted with him to be honest.”