• Premier League

Wilshere return pleases Wenger

ESPN staff
October 2, 2012
Jack Wilshere is nearing a first team return © PA Photos
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes fit-again Jack Wilshere must not be rushed back too quickly following his recovery from injury.

Wilshere, 20, made a return to match action for the first time in 14 months in Arsenal Under-21s' 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion Under-21s on Monday.

The midfielder stepped up his recovery to complete 63 minutes, after spending the whole of last season on the sidelines with ankle and knee injuries.

Although delighted by this good news for the club, Wenger does not want to get carried away and believes the player should not be hurried back into the first team too quickly.

"He came through it all right, there was no reaction," the manager said. "We are pleased, but it is now down to taking the right time to ease him slowly back.

"We are all very happy, and he especially must be exceptionally happy, but he has been out for 14 months.''

Arsenal reserves coach Terry Burton was delighted by Wilshere's return but also urged caution, saying he believed the player still needs to put in a lot of hard work before his return is complete.

"He is a quality player, and it is great for the club that he has taken that first step on the road towards getting back into the first team," Burton told the club's official website. "I think he is delighted to have been back on the pitch, as we all are.

"It is a start - now he just needs to keep working hard to play the football we know he is capable of playing, which we know is very exciting."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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