By SAMI MOKBEL
Roy Hodgson is set to defy Arsene Wenger on Thursday by naming Jack Wilshere in his squad to face Sweden next Wednesday.
The Arsenal midfielder has played only three first-team games since returning from 15 months out with ankle, foot and knee problems.
Wenger recently warned Hodgson against picking his 20-year-old midfielder for the friendly in Stockholm.
‘Jack should skip that,’ said Wenger after their 1-0 win over QPR last month.
‘What is important now is that he gets back to full fitness for this team. Once he is back he will play for England again.’
But having identified the 20-year-old as a key figure, Hodgson is keen to work with Wilshere as soon as possible.
Although admitting he cannot wait to pull on an England jersey again, Wilshere took a diplomatic view of his potential selection.
He said: ‘It’s up to the England manager and I’m sure he will speak to the boss here and they’ll decide what’s best for me.
‘If they want me to play, I’ll play. But if they decide it’s best to rest then I’ll rest.’
Wilshere has a long way to go to recapture the form that made him such an exciting prospect before his injury.
‘You wonder whether you can come back to the level you were at before,’ said the young midfielder. ‘I feel better as the weeks go on.’
