Jack Wilshere’s hopes of reviving his Arsenal career have receded following Arsene Wenger’s admission the midfielder could be allowed to leave the club before the end of this month.

The England international is one of a number of players at the Emirates Stadium entering the final season of their contract but while Wenger remains adamant Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, among others, will not be allowed to leave before the end of their current deals, the manager – who insists he has the full support of his board to decide on squad matters - has adopted a markedly different stance with Wilshere.

The 25-year-old is back at the club after a season-long loan at Bournemouth he hoped would allow him to regain full fitness after a number of injury-scarred seasons.

A broken leg, however, sustained at Tottenham Hotspur in April, has hampered the player’s hopes of making an impression during pre-season.

Wilshere has been forced to focus on his rehabilitation, only returning to full training last week, ensuring he remains on the fringes ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield meeting with Chelsea at Wembley.