Roy Hodgson: Arsenal don’t want to push Jack Wilshere too soon

Roy Hodgson says Arsenal have been extra cautious with Jack Wilshere as the midfielder continues his recovery from a foot injury.

The 22-year-old has been out of action since suffering a hairline fracture while on international duty with the Three Lions back in March.

Arsenal have been holding him back because they don’t want to push him too early

Roy Hodgson

But despite Wilshere’s lack of match fitness, England boss Hodgson has appeared to suggest that the Arsenal star will get a call-up to this summer’s World Cup.

“Wilshere has been training with the others at Arsenal and, while he is not being thrown back into the fray, he is there,” said Hodgson.

“He has been training with the team, as far as I know, for a while.

“I am not prepared to have a 100 per cent rule that you either play in the last game of the season or you don’t go — I am not prepared to do that.

“I have spoken to Arsene and they have been holding him back because they don’t want to push him too early.”

Speaking after Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Newcastle on Monday night, Wenger refused to put a date on Wilshere’s possible return to action.

“Jack is training already,” said Wenger. “I can’t tell you when he will be ready. I hope he will be back this season but I can’t tell you that tonight.”