Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels Jack Wilshere should 'skip' England's friendly with Sweden next month.
Wilshere returned to action for the Gunners in Saturday's 1-0 win over QPR at Emirates Stadium after 14 months on the sidelines. The midfielder's injury setbacks forced him out the whole of last season because of niggling ankle and knee problems, which dashed any hopes of featuring for England at Euro 2012 or representing Team GB at the London Olympics.
There will now be calls for Wilshere to be fast-tracked back into Roy Hodgson's squad ahead of the November 14 friendly in Sweden, but Wenger said: "It is a friendly. Jack should skip that. What is important now is that he gets back to full fitness for this team. Once he is back he will play for England again, but if it is a friendly...."
Wenger added: "I will have a little word [with Hodgson], of course. Anyway, Roy will call me about him.
"I am an understanding manager. If it is a friendly, a full game would be too much at the moment. I will speak about it with Roy, but what is important now is that he gets back to his level."
Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is in no doubt of the lift Wilshere's return to action will give the squad.
"Jack can be one of the best midfielders in the world because what he did in his first year was great," he said.
Belgian defender Vermaelen can understand the hype around the promising England youngster.
"Everyone knows how good Jack can be and everyone wants him back for the England team as well," he said. "It is going to be a long way to get up to the biggest level."
Source: PA
