Football: Wenger expects Wilshere to make World Cup

England midfielder Jack Wilshere runs with the ball during the international friendly football match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium in London on March 5, 2014. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP
England midfielder Jack Wilshere runs with the ball during the international friendly football match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium in London on March 5, 2014. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects England midfielder Jack Wilshere to win his fight to be fit in time for the World Cup.

Wilshere faces at least six weeks on the sidelines after scans revealed he had sustained a hairline fracture of his foot following a hefty tackle from Liverpool defender Daniel Agger early in Wednesday's friendly against Denmark at Wembley.

If all goes to plan with Wilshere's rehabilitation, he could feature for Arsenal's final matches of the season and also be available for England's friendly against Peru at Wembley on May 30.

Hodgson will then cut his provisional 30-man World Cup squad down to 23 before heading to Miami for a training camp which will include friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras in the build-up to England's opening World Cup group match against Italy in Manaus on June 14.

Wenger sees no reason why Wilshere, who missed Euro 2012 due to an ankle injury, should not be on the plane to Brazil, although he warned England manager Roy Hodgson not to take the star if he isn't fully fit.

"When you go to a tournament like that, you have to be 100 per cent fit. I am confident Jack will be because the timescale is all right," Wenger said on Friday.

"He can have a great World Cup if all works well. If you look at the number of weeks until the end of the season, then you have still six weeks before the start of the World Cup.

"He will be fully fit to play (for Arsenal) and then you have still preparation games (with England).

"At the World Cup you will be happy that you have a player who is as committed as that, who can have the technical ability to go forward.

"What is important now for him is of course that he goes there in full fitness, and we have to make sure that after the six weeks he has no setbacks."

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.