• Premier League

Wilshere set for Arsenal return

ESPN staff
May 8, 2014
Wenger: Arsenel need to improve their injury record next season

Arsene Wenger has confirmed the Jack Wilshere will return to the Arsenal side on Sunday but does not think he will get much game time before the World Cup.

The midfielder is in line to play a part in the Premier League game at relegation-threatened Norwich but may not be risked for the FA Cup final against Hull later this month.

Jack Wilshere has been out since picking up an injury in England's friendly against Denmark in March © PA Photos
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Wilshere is edging back to fitness as he recovers from the broken foot he suffered playing for England in the first week of March and while Wenger could not offer any conclusive answers to questions about Wilshere's condition, he hinted the 22-year-old will be available for selection when England manager Roy Hodgson names his World Cup squad on Monday.

"I don't know how much [game time he will get]," said Wenger. "He will be ready for the World Cup, but I don't want to make an individual case of anybody, it is important for us that our team are prepared well."

Wenger is waiting on assessments of the fitness of Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs but Alex Oxade-Chamberlain, another World Cup hopeful, will not play on Sunday.

On off-field issues, Wenger is increasingly resigned to the loss this summer of Bacary Sagna. The France right-back is out of contract at the end of the season and, with both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain interested, has turned down a series of offers from Arsenal.

The manager is more confident about the future of Laurent Koscielny, however, claiming the defender will soon sign an extended contract at the club. "It's close to be closed," Wenger said of Koscielny's new deal.

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