England manager Fabio Capello has dismissed suggestions that Jack Wilshere's injury problems can be blamed on the young midfielder's international commitments.
Arsenal suffered another blow to their season this weekend when it was confirmed Wilshere would be out for up to three months after failing to recover from an ankle injury picked up on duty for England against Switzerland in June.
Wilshere aggravated the injury during a pre-season game for Arsenal in July and now faces a lengthy lay-off as he attempts to regain fitness.
Arsenal officials are reportedly unhappy at the treatment Wilshere has received with England, but Capello denied the international set-up was to blame, pointing out the player was fit when selected for the Swiss match.
"When I selected him, he was fit," said the England coach.
"During a game, it can happen, it's normal. People get shoulder, knee, head injuries. Something can happen in a tackle. It happened.
"When he started the game he was fit. If he hadn't been, he wouldn't have played."
Capello also noted Wilshere suffered a similar problem in 2009, and pointed out that Arsenal had allowed the player to go on holiday for one month after the Swiss match before playing him in pre-season.
"It's true he suffered this accident against Switzerland. Afterwards he went on holiday," he said.
"It's not my job to say what happened but I hope he will be fit in a really short time for Arsenal and for us because he is a really important player for both."
Source: AFP
