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Jack Wilshere has been put on a special fitness programme to sort out his injury problems.

The 21-year-old Arsenal star - in the squad for Sunday’s crunch game with Manchester United - suffers from a rare ankle condition, which needed surgery two years ago when two pins were inserted into the joint.

It now means Wilshere must work an extra hour every day to keep him fit.

The midfielder arrives early for 30 minutes’ extra workout and then spends another half-hour after normal training.

With that timetable, Wilshere will be able to play in the majority of matches for the Gunners and for England.

Wilshere suffered astress fracture in August 2011 after being hit by an ankle injury while playing for his country against Switzerland at Wembley in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

He then aggravated it while playing in the Emirates Cup for his club two months later.

But, while the ankle joint should have healed with rest, it was discovered that there had been no improvement and surgery was needed.

That meant the insertion of pins and the outcome was a success.

However, the drawback is that, if Wilshere suffers a kick on the ankle, it takes him longer to recover. Instead of missing one game, he could miss three.

That has been the case in the last two weeks.

Wilshere was injured against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup and consequently missed matches against Liverpool in the Premier League and the Champions League clash last Wednesday against Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

A fitness regime to keep Wilshere in shape, while recovering, has been devised. He can keep his sharpness without putting pressure on the ankle.

But there may now be a concern for England manager Roy Hodgson ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.

He has acknowledged that the injury can be managed with the proper treatment and there will be no need for another operation.

And the likelihood is Wilshere will make the final selection because of his match-winning talents.

Hodgson knows the player will be nursed through his club season and that he will receive expert attention while with the national squad.