Wilshere recovery remains on track

Matt Stead

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed that his recovery from injury is going to plan and says he is back on the training pitch.

The 24-year-old, who is expected to return to action next month, fractured his fibula only days before the Gunner’s Community Shield win over Chelsea in August and hasn’t played in a competitive match this season.

Arsene Wenger has had multiple injuries to contend with this season, but now only Wilshere and Santi Cazorla remain on the treatment table.

“[My recovery is] going well,” Wilshere told the club website. “I’m back on the pitch and I’m just trying to build my fitness up because everyone knows how tough it is to play in the Premier League. I’m working on it and I’m slowly getting there.

“Sometimes it’s been difficult to stay positive, especially after the injuries that I’ve had which have been frustrating, but as the injury goes, you get closer to full fitness and you see the light at the end of the tunnel, then you start to think about coming back and getting involved in the team.”

Despite Arsenal slipping to fourth in the Premier League table, Wilshere is confident his team-mates can still mount a serious title challenge this season.

“We’ve had a strong season and we’re in a position this year where we can really go for it,” he told Arsenal Player. “In the past we’ve struggled around Christmas and before we’ve given ourselves no chance really, but this year we’re [close to the top] with important players coming back. Hopefully they can help us.

“We’ve added a world-class goalkeeper and he’s been massive for us with his experience. Apart from that, the team’s the same and I think a big part of [us challenging] is because we’ve been together for a few years and the younger British players have started to mature a bit and that’s really helped.”