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Bournemouth have been hit by the news that midfielder Jack Wilshere is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken fibula.

Arsenal confirmed the injury on Wednesday after John Cross of the Mirror first reported the news on Tuesday. The Gunners noted it is "hoped [Wilshere] will be fit for the start of next season."

The on-loan playmaker from Arsenal suffered the injury at the weekend against Tottenham and was forced to leave after 55 minutes.

The setback is an unwelcome one for the England international, who has enjoyed a revival closer to his former best since moving to the Vitality Stadium on loan at the beginning of the 2016-17 campaign.

The 25-year-old has made 22 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth this season and has played the full 90 minutes in 14 of those outings.

Wilshere has outlined himself as a crucial cog in the Bournemouth midfield this term, averaging 1.3 key passes and 2.1 dribbles per game, per WhoScored.com, both the best marks of any Cherries player.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will look to the likes of Andrew Surman, Dan Gosling and Marc Pugh to help paper over Wilshere's absence while he begins his recovery, although none offer the same efficacy in creating chances as their on-loan team-mate.