The Three Lions boss is not worried by the Arsenal midfielder’s ankle problem and is fully aware of the need to carefully manage the 21-year-old’s long-term international career

England manager Roy Hodgson insists that he is not concerned by Jack Wilshere’s latest injury blow.

The Arsenal midfielder has been ruled out of the Three Lions’ upcoming games against San Marino and Montenegro with an ankle problem but the 65-year-old stresses that the starlet has a long-term international future and shoul not be classed as injury-prone.

“I’ve got no reason to believe that at the moment,” the England manager told the FA’s official website.

“It was a great blow to Arsenal and England when Wilshere missed 14 months with a fracture but since then, the last two or three months, he has been playing regularly, played a lot of games.

“Unfortunately, he has taken a knock and the X-rays show he needs to rest and not take any further knocks on the ankle. That’s how we’ve understood it. But I don’t think it’s fair to say he is always injured. Since he’s been back from the long injury, he has hardly missed a game.”

The former Liverpool and West Brom boss adds that he is prepared to take on board advice from Arsenal on how to manage Wilshere’s fitness.

“Who knows what the situation will be in the summer with players, but when it comes to the friendlies, I’m much more prepared to take in the wishes of clubs and to even give chances to other players,” Hodgson continued.

“I think it is important when it comes to the qualifiers, the Manchester Uniteds, Liverpools, Chelseas, Arsenals, Tottenhams, I need them to be supporting England by releasing their players.

“If, for example, it was suggested Wilshere would be ill-advised to travel to Brazil, I would take that on board when the situation arises.”