• Premier League

Oxlade-Chamberlain: Wilshere in pain from screws

ESPN staff
April 23, 2013
Wilshere was on the bench for Arsenal's victory over Fulham

Jack Wilshere is suffering pain from the screws inserted into his right ankle in 2011, Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has said.

Wilshere, 21, missed 16 months after suffering a stress fracture in his ankle during an Emirates Cup match ahead of the 2011-12 season.

He made his return to action in late October last year, and has made 30 appearances in all competitions since, but he was rested for several weeks after the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at the start of March.

He was then dropped back to the bench for the 1-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, with Wenger revealing the midfielder had been "in a bit of pain" after the preceding 0-0 draw with Everton, although he insisted: "There is no basic ankle problem. I just felt we had to stop him because of inflammation last time and I just felt to give him three games in six days would be too much."

Oxlade-Chamberlain says that the problem is down to the metalwork inserted to assist his recovery in 2011.

"The news is that it is not too bad," he said. "He's just getting a bit of pain in his ankle from a few screws."

It has been suggested that Wilshere may require a small operation in the summer to rectify the issue, but Oxlade-Chamberlain is upbeat about his fellow England international's prospects.

"If you can bounce back from what he did, you can bounce back from anything," he said.

Arsene Wenger has said that Wilshere is likely to face Manchester United on Sunday.

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