Wilshere is now considered a first-team regular for Fabio Capello’s England
Jack Wilshere looks likely to miss England’s friendly with the Netherlands on 10 August after suffering an ankle injury in an Arsenal pre-season match.
Boss Arsene Wenger withdrew the 19-year-old midfielder as a precaution seven minutes into Sunday’s Emirates Cup draw with New York Red Bulls.
Wenger said it was not a torn ligament, but that Wilshere’s ankle was inflamed.
“If he’s out next week, he will not play in Benfica, so he will certainly not play for England,” he said.
Gunners medical staff predicted a week’s absence, but Wenger did say there was still a chance he could make a swifter recovery ahead of his side’s final pre-season friendly at Benfica on Saturday.
Jack’s a quick healer usually, and a tough boy, so I hope he’ll be quicker than the medical prediction
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
“They told me that next week he might be out,” he said. “But he’s a quick healer usually, and a tough boy, so I hope he’ll be quicker than the medical prediction.”
England manager Fabio Capello is already without Wilshere’s fellow midfielders Steven Gerrard and Theo Walcott for the international match at Wembley.
One of Arsenal’s strongest players last season, Wilshere appeared to cement his place in Capello’s starting XI at the end of last season.
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Wilshere could miss England match