I will return stronger - Wilshere

04 September 2011 18:30

Jack Wilshere is set to miss England's Euro 2012 clash with Montenegro next month and stay sidelined until November at best after Arsenal confirmed he needs to rest his injured ankle.

But Wilshere, who admits he finds sitting in the stands "massively frustrating", has vowed to make up for lost time when he returns. And he believes he can carry on where he left off last season, when he became a key member of the Gunners' midfield and broke into Fabio Capello's national team.

An Arsenal spokesman said: "He will be out for a couple more months. He needs to rest and then we will see where he's at."

Wilshere wrote on Twitter: "I can confirm I will be out for around 2-3 months! I am working hard in the gym to stay fit and I am gutted but I will be back stronger!"

Wilshere is wearing a protective boot to guard the affected right ankle, which boss Arsene Wenger claims was first injured when the youngster was on England duty against Switzerland.

Wenger won his running battle with England Under-21 counterpart Stuart Pearce over Wilshere's selection for the summer's European Championships in Denmark, but the rest he was able to enjoy in the close season was not sufficient to cure the ankle problem.

He will now miss crucial matches for club and country, including England's final qualifying group game in Montenegro on October 7, and Champions League and Premier League fixtures with Arsenal.

Speaking on former Gunner Ian Wright's Absolute Radio show on Saturday, Wilshere stressed Arsenal would not be rushing him back.

"They're not pushing me at all," Wilshere said. "I spoke to the manager and he told me to take my time and come back when I'm ready because there's no point me coming back and having another six weeks away, so I'm just taking my time and getting ready."

Source: PA