Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere feels the fittest he has ever been as he looks to work his way back into England fold
- Jack Wilshere has assured England manager Gareth Southgate over his fitness
- Wilshere is yet to play a minute of Premier League football so far this season
- But the 25-year-old is remaining upbeat about his chances of reaching Russia
- Midfielder feels his burst of pace over first five yards is getting 'better each day'
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is confident he can make a late surge to book his place in Gareth Southgate's England World Cup squad after assessing his current fitness levels.
Wilshere, who suffered a broken leg playing for Bournemouth against Tottenham last April, spent the summer fulfilling another rehabilitation programme and he completed the full 90 minutes for the Gunners against BATE Borisov last month.
The 25-year-old, who has made three appearances for Arsene Wenger's side in all competitions this term, has been lined up for a surprise call-up in Russia as Southgate tries to solve England's lack of midfield creativity.
Jack Wilshere is being lined up for a World Cup call as Gareth Southgate look to add creativity
There is a feeling Wilshere could be the man to add imagination to an England midfield
And the player himself has assured the Three Lions boss that he is over the worst of his injury struggles, telling Arsenal Player: 'If I'm honest, my fitness levels are probably the best they've ever been.
'I always hear the boss say it is my first five-metre burst, when I receive the ball and to get away from defenders and I feel that's getting better and better each day.
'I look at my numbers after the game and I've been out for four months and I'm not the one who hasn't run the most.
Southgate believes Wilshere can still be a central figure for England in Russia next summer.
Wilshere has been on the fringes of the Arsenal setup so far this season
Gareth Southgate feels Wilshere can still be a central figure for England in Russia next summer
Although Wilshere has not featured in a national squad since last November, there is a feeling he could be the man to add imagination to an England midfield that is causing Southgate concern.
Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier are in pole position to occupy the midfield berths, but the Arsenal midfielder could yet be part of the 23-man squad heading to Russia.
Wilshere conceded he has had to adapt his playing style since breaking through as a teenager at the Emirates Stadium, with his injury setbacks taken into account during his self-analysis.
'When I first broke into the first team, even looking back when I was 16, you take things for granted,' he added.
'I was training every day and when you're a 16-year-old, you can do that.
'As you get older your body changes, you pick up injuries, you have to be more careful with certain situations and it makes you stronger as well. I've always loved playing football and that's what I wanted to do.'
Most watched Sport videos
- Man United celebrate their 3rd goal in front of their fans
- Valentine Holmes botches simple try as Cowboys suffer two-point defeat
- Man United Women's trophy lift after 4-0 FA Cup final win
- Ten Hag says missing out on European football 'hugely damaging'
- Gareth Southgate addresses Manchester United speculation
- Arsenal fans MOCK Man United's leaking roof as they celebrate win
- Man United Women walk the steps to collect their FA Cup medals
- Tyson Fury's dad John bloodied after clash with Usyk's team
- The moment John Fury headbutts a member of Usyk's team
- 'Grotesque' cast suggest touchdown celebrations for Travis Kelce
- Tom Brady on target with pass to launch E1 Venice GP
- Caitlin Clark and teammates catch first-ever WNBA charter flight