• Premier League

Wenger: Wilshere not ready for Hammers

Jack Wilshere is closing in on a first-team return for Arsenal © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Angry Carroll 'never given a chance' at Liverpool
  
• News: Ramsey: I'm finally 100% match sharp
  
• News: Wenger ready to give Walcott central chance
  
• News: Wenger wary of Carroll threat
  
• News: Wilshere return pleases Wenger
  
• News: Wilshere returns with Arsenal U21s
  

Arsenal's away trip to West Ham is live and exclusive on ESPN this Saturday. For details on how to subscribe, click here.

Arsenal Wenger has delivered a positive update on the progress of Jack Wilshere but insists he will continue to exercise caution as the midfielder edges towards a long-awaited Arsenal comeback.

Wilshere has not played since August last year after suffering multiple setbacks in his recovery from an ankle injury.

The 20-year-old made his first appearance in 14 months as he completed an hour for Arsenal Under-21s on Monday, but Wenger is resisting the temptation to rush his prized asset back into the first team.

"Jack is doing very well but we need to be a bit patient," Wenger said. "He has played 60 minutes in the reserve team and he needs a few games, progressive build-up to get his body used again to competition, to shocks, to fights.

"But he is doing extremely well, the situation looks very good. We have to be cautious, not crazy, because of his talent you are always pushed in a situation where you would like to rush him back, and we have to resist that.

"The next match [for Arsenal U21s] should be next week and he is working very very hard [in training]. The body is like that, when you have been out of competition for 14 months it takes a long time to find your sharpness back. You cannot rush it."

Wenger has also urged England manager Roy Hodgson to exercise a similar caution and give Wilshere time to settle back into the demands of the Premier League before calling up the midfielder.

"Everybody is keen [to have Wilshere back] and we are the first," Wenger said. "I think there are three things that are important for every player: the health of the player, the interests of the club and the interests of the national team.

"You have to try to combine the three but the most important thing of course is the health of the player.

"Roy Hodgson is long enough in the job to know that a player who has been out for 14 months, you have to give him time to play again. When the time comes up, he will play for England again of course."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.