Soccer: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.
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.
Wilshere, 19, had hoped to be back on duty for club and country by now, after suffering the injury in June. But he limped off after just seven minutes of Arsenal's Emirates Cup match with New York Red Bulls in late July and then suffered a setback in training last month.
Manager Arsene Wenger suggested that would keep Wilshere out for "two or three weeks", however Arsenal are now predicting he will be absent until November, and Wilshere accepted it could be longer before he returns to action.
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 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 yesterday, 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."
He finds watching games difficult.
"It's massively frustrating," Wilshere said. "Last year I had a successful season, so it's even more frustrating because this year I thought I could push on. I've had a bit of a setback but I'm still feeling good about the season, and hopefully I'll be back as soon as possible."
At least England pepped up Wilshere's spirits with their 3-0 win in Bulgaria on Friday, when Gary Cahill scored his first international goal and in-form Wayne Rooney netted twice.
"I think we did well. I think Rooney was unbelievable," Wilshere said. "I don't think there is a player in this country who is anywhere near his level."
Wilshere is among the country's prime emerging talent, and he admires the new generation of players who are being brought through to the international game by Capello.
"There's a few at Man United. You've got Ashley Young and all those sort of players, and they're really starting to step up now," Wilshere said. "It's exciting times, especially for England. Hopefully we can use that, as soon as Euro 2012, and use that to our advantage."
Speaking just prior to Arsenal confirming Wilshere would need an extended break, his club colleague Theo Walcott said at an England press conference: "Jack's a very important player for us. It's a shame he's had this ankle problem.
"But he's a bright lad - he'll be back as soon as he can. We're going to miss him but he's professional enough to get on with it."
