Former Magpie hopes for chance in Bournemouth's home clash with Sunderland

Gosling was a regular first-teamer in the Cherries’ successful first season in the Premier League last term, but the arrival of on-loan Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has restricted his opportunities this campaign.

Gosling, though, could be handed only a second league start against the Black Cats, as Andrew Surman will miss out with a hamstring problem picked up in last weekend’s defeat at Middlesbrough.

“It’s unfortunate for Surs. I don’t know how bad it is, maybe one or two weeks, I’m not too sure,” Gosling told the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

“With him being out, there will be a place for someone else. Whether that’s me or someone else, I don’t know.

“There is competition all over the pitch, so you have to wait and bide your time. I’m ready to take my chance again and, hopefully, I will get a chance and kick on.”

The lack of appearances has rocked Gosling, but he remains ready for action when required.

The 26-year-old added: “It’s very frustrating and very challenging mentally to keep your levels up.

“But that’s the only way to go about it. If your head drops, or you start falling below your standards, when you do get a chance, you won’t take it. I like to stay as professional as I can.

“I was mentally prepared for the the Tottenham game, whether I was on the bench or starting. I got the late call and performed very well and that was through hard work on the training ground and always being ready to play.

“I have a good relationship with the gaffer and the rest of the coaching staff. I feel when I’ve come in, I’ve taken every chance I’ve been given. I’ve come off the bench and affected games.

“That’s all you can do as a player - give the manager a problem every week. Hopefully I can get a run of games - that’s what I want.

“No player is happy sitting on the bench and coming on for 10 or 15 minutes. But, at the moment, the gaffer sees that as the team and I will keep working hard to try and force my way in.”

Meanwhile, Mike Dean will referee Sunderland’s game at Bournemouth.

He last took charge of the Black Cats for the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane in September.

The 48-year-old’s only Premier League red card this season so far was the dismissal of Sunderland’s Adnan Januzaj late on at Spurs. The Belgian was sent off in the closing stages following a foul on Ben Davies, having already been booked for dissent.