Gareth Southgate has revived Jack Wilshere’s international career by selection the midfielder in his squad for England’s games with Scotland and Spain this month.

Wilshere has been rebuilding his career on loan at Bournemouth this season, after slipping down the pecking order at Arsenal following yet another injury-affected season in 2015-16. He has re-discovered form and fitness on the south coast, starting seven Premier League games for Eddie Howe’s side and completing 90 minutes for the first time since September 2014.

Wilshere is no stranger to the England set-up, of course, having been part of the squads for the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016. But his selection by Roy Hodgson in France earlier this summer was symptomatic both of Hodgson’s muddled thinking but also Wilshere’s own fitness problems. He made three appearances in France but failed to make an impression, especially in England’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Slovakia and disastrous 2-1 defeat to Iceland.

England interim manager Gareth Southgate hailed Wilshere’s ability and sid that his performances out on loan at Dean Court had counted for him. “Jack is a player who we feel has a lot of class,” Southgate said. “It’s good for him to get some 90 minutes under his belt again and we felt the time was right to put him back in. It’s been important for him to get some regular football. We know the quality that he possesses and it’s good for him to feel the faith that we have in him.”

Wilshere has been involved with the England set up since he first broke into Fabio Capello’s side in 2010, at the age of 18. He has struggled for consistency since but now stands a good chance of assuring his place for this international cycle.