Wilshere boost for injury-hit Arsenal as midfielder steps up recovery



By Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail

Arsenal have received a massive boost with the news Jack Wilshere could start running by the end of the week.

Wilshere has missed the entire campaign with an ankle injury sustained in pre-season. But the key midfielder, 19, is about to take a major step in his return to fitness.

Step up: Arsenal's Jack Wilshere is making good progress

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who was boosted by defender Bacary Sagna's return to running last week, revealed: 'Wilshere is doing very well. He is one week behind Sagna so he should start to run this week.'

In addition to Wilshere and Sagna, the Gunners are missing Andre Santos, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Johan Djourou and Abou Diaby through injury for the visit of Wolves on Tuesday.

Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh leave for the Africa Cup of Nations early next month. Wenger hopes Park Ju-young and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can fill the gaps left by the departing pair.

Wenger said: 'It has been difficult because I have not given Park the chance to play and the intensity of the challenges - it takes you time. You see a player like (Laurent) Koscielny. Last year, he was still sometimes surprised by the physical demands. And this year, he dominates the physical challenge. That shows it takes time.

'In 2012 Chamberlain will play games. He is not far off.

'He is a talented boy, it's all there - he just needs that toughness because every game for us is so tight.'



