Wilshere ruled out until October
July 29, 2012 13:02:05 UK
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that England midfielder Jack Wilshere will not return to action until October at the earliest.
The talented 20-year-old missed the whole of last season due to ankle and knee problems and was also forced to sit out the Euro 2012 finals, with his return to action now further delayed beyond the start of the new campaign.
Wenger said before a pre-season game in Hong Kong: "Hopefully we will get Wilshere back playing for October."
Hopefully we will get Wilshere back playing for October.
Arsene Wenger
Wilshere is therefore set to miss England's opening two World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine in September.
England are 1.12 to reach the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil and are 6.00 to miss out.
Meanwhile, Gunners boss Wenger says that his club have yet to have any further contact from Manchester City or Manchester United about striker Robin van Persie.
The Dutchman could exit the Emirates Stadium this summer after announcing that he will not sign a new contract, but Wenger says that there is nothing new to report.
Following a 2-0 pre-season loss to City in the Far East, Wenger told reporters: "I have talked about Van Persie and I'm not talking about that question any more."
"We have not had any more contact from City or United about him."
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