No stranger to injury, Jack Wilshere is set to miss England’s friendly clash with the Netherlands on Friday after picking up a knee injury in training.
The Arsenal man has enjoyed renaissance this season at club level and is eager to get his place back in the England side. However, the 26-year-old won’t travel with the national side to Amsterdam.
England boss Gareth Southgate played down the seriousness of the injury, and is hopeful to have the midfielder back in contention for Tuesday’s game against Italy at Wembley.
Southgate told the press:
Jack just felt some tendinopathy in his knee but it’s nothing too serious.
We decided to leave him back at base and see how he responds, and we hope to have him with us on Saturday.
Considering Wilshere’s list of serious injuries over the years, any news of a new problem does get the alarm bells ringing.
However, let’s hope he shakes off this latest setback and is fighting fit (or as close as is possible) ahead of Tuesday and, more importantly, the World Cup this summer.
After all, love him or hate him, he is a supremely gifted player who, when fit and at his best, is well worth a place in the England XI.