• Premier League

Wenger confirms 'minor' surgery for Wilshere

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed midfielder Jack Wilshere has undergone minor surgery to remove some small studs from his ankle, which will rule him out of action for "days rather than weeks".

Wilshere has brought forward a procedure that was scheduled to take place at the end of this season, with Wenger confirming the decision to have the operation now was made as it was restricting the England midfielder's progress as he looks to return to full fitness following his latest lengthy spell in the treatment room.

"Wilshere had a little surgery to take his two buttons off on his ankle because they were irritating him," Wenger said. "It was a very minor procedure. He will be out for a few days. It was irritating his ankle and they had to take it off.

"It was planned to be done at the end of the season and because he had an irritation with it, we decided to do it now. Next weekend would be quick for him [to play again], but it will be days and not weeks."

Wenger hinted that he would make changes to his side for Sunday's Premier League game against Everton at Emirates Stadium, as he suggested the challenge of playing two high profile games in quick succession would demand some alterations to his line-up.

Yet he would not confirm whether centre-back Gabriel will make a first start in the Premier League, after criticism of Arsenal's defenders during their surprise 3-1 defeat against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday.

There was better news for Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini, who are returning to full training, but Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy are still "a few weeks away" from pushing for a first team return.

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