LONDON -- Jack Wilshere will "always" have minor injuries to deal with "because of the way he is structured," according to Arsenal's assistant manager Steve Bould.

Wilshere had to miss both of England's friendlies over the international break after finally getting called up to Gareth Southgate's squad, which could damage his chances to go to the World Cup this summer.

Wilshere is expected to be available for Sunday's Premier League game against Stoke, but Bould says the midfielder will likely have to deal with smaller fitness issues for the rest of his career.

"I think perhaps he will always have a little niggle here and there because of the way he is structured. That's his make-up now," said Bould, who had to handle media duties ahead of the Stoke game after Arsene Wenger lost his voice.

"He's a great player. A fit Jack Wilshere is a very good player. I think we are all hopeful longer term he has overcome those issues."

Jack Wilshere has had a career full of injuries. IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images

Wilshere has regained a regular starting role at Arsenal this season after spending last year out on loan at Bournemouth following several long-term injuries. He broke his ankle toward the end of that loan spell and was only used sparingly by Wenger for the first few months of this campaign.

The midfielder's long-term future also remains undecided as he has yet to accept a new contract offer from the club, with his current deal expiring this summer.

But Bould remains hopeful that an agreement will be reached, and that his history of injuries won't affect the rest of his career.

"I've known Jack since he was a real young kid. He's a great footballer -- he loves the football club and we just need him fit more often than he has been in the past," Bould said. "I think it is coming slowly but surely. It is something he might have to manage all his career I guess. ... That's the nature of Jack I'm afraid. He can pick up an injury because his ankle will turn, his knee will ... he's got a sore knee."

Bould said Wilshere has been training normally for several months, though, and said he isn't surprised by his recent success on the pitch.

"I wouldn't say surprised, no. He's always had that. I wouldn't say surprised. I'm really pleased for him because he's worked tremendously hard and it's been tough for him mentally," the former Arsenal defender said.

"But it looks like he's rode through it and he's come out a stronger person and player for it."

And even if players like Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny continue to have niggles to monitor -- Koscielny recently revealed he has turned to yoga to help cope with a chronic Achilles problem -- Bould said that's something that's common for modern footballers.

"All players have niggles. I had them all my career. I wasn't very fit very often. It's part of the game. There are no issues," he said.