Wenger backs Wilshire’s World Cup bid

Semiu Salami
Semiu Salami
Jack Wilshere

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will do “absolutely everything” to ensure Jack Wilshere is fit for the World Cup.

The midfielder, 22, was ruled out for eight weeks after breaking a bone in his left foot during  England’s 1-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday on Wednesday.

England’s World Cup campaign begins against Italy on 14 June.

“To go to a World Cup for a player is immense and I will do absolutely everything so that he can get there,” said Wenger.

Wenger expects fellow midfielders Kim Kallstrom and Aaron Ramsey to be fit within a week.

Ramsey last played on 26 December, while  Kallstrom has yet to feature since joining on loan in January.

Wilshere sustained the injury early on in the   win over the Danes in what Wenger believes was an “accidental” challenge by Liverpool’s Daniel Agger.

A six-week absence was diagnosed but Wenger expects a further two will be needed to recapture full fitness, though he believes a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup is not in jeopardy for Wilshere.

“A fracture is a fracture, it is not muscular or a ligament,” said Wenger, 64. “Once it is healed, you do not have to have any restriction in your preparation.”

Wilshere, who missed Euro 2012 with an ankle injury, made his senior debut in 2010 but has only earned 15 caps, with injuries limiting his opportunities with the national side.

Hodgson will name a 23-man squad and seven back-up players on 13 May, but Wilshere will miss key games for Arsenal before then.

After Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Everton, Arsenal face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League tie.

The third-placed Gunners also face Premier League fixtures against Tottenham, Manchester City and leaders Chelsea in March as they seek to close a four-point gap on Jose Mourinho’s side.

In his news conference ahead of this weekend’s cup tie against the Toffees, Wenger also revealed Ramsey and Santi Cazorla are “very close” to signing new contracts.

The pair would join Tomas Rosicky and Per Mertesacker  in committing their future to the Gunners.

 

 

 

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