Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that midfielder Jack Wilshere has returned to outdoor practice sessions and is delighted with his recovery, Sky Sports reports. Wilshere has not played a competitive match since last June, when he had an ankle operation.
The Gunners midfielder last played in a 2-2 draw for England against Switzerland in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, but is back in contention for the run-in to the end of the season. Wilshere’s injury problem has been a bad point for Wenger this season and the Arsenal boss is delighted that the 20 year old is making good progress. Wenger still has quality midfielders in his squad, but will be happy that Wilshere is nearing full recovery.
‘There is positive news about him (Wilshere), because he is back to running after he had a little setback with the inflammation of his bone. He is able to go outside and practice, but he is a few weeks away’, Wenger said in his pre-match press conference.
However, the Gunners boss faces the prospect of being without nine first-team players for the huge weekend fixture with Manchester United. Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen will be assessed on his injury and on-loan striker Thierry Henry will undergo a fitness test on a calf problem. Wenger is still without defenders Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos, whilst Carl Jenkinson is back training in the same regime as Wilshere.
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