Thursday 12 May 2016

WILSHERE:I CAN PROVE EURO FITNESS

Wilshere: I can prove Euros fitness
The Arsenal midfielder is adament that he will be fit for selection for this summer's tournament having been out of action for 10 months because of a fractured leg,
Jack Wilshere is determined to prove his fitness as he dreams of a spot in England's squad for Euro 2016.
The Arsenal midfielder had been out for 10 months with a fractured leg before making his long-awaited return in the 0-0 draw with Sunderland last month and impressing in a near 70-minute outing against Manchester City on Sunday.
Roy Hodgson is a known admirer of the 24-year-old's talents and Wilshere wants to show the England boss that including him in his final 23-man selection would not be a risk.
"I have been in contact with the coaching staff at England and they know I have been fit for six or seven weeks' training now," Wilshere told Standard Sport.
"I would like to have played a few more minutes [in recent weeks]. I got 70 last week. Hopefully I can get a few more this week and we'll see what happens. 
"If I am in the squad, I've got those three friendlies [against Turkey, Australia and Portugal]. That will be more than enough. I know what it takes to get back to my best and that is more than enough."
Wilshere was introduced earlier than expected at the Etihad Stadium as compatriot Danny Welbeck was taken off injured, his own Euro hopes ended by a serious knee problem.
"I felt brilliant [on Sunday]," Wilshere added. "I started watching from the bench in the first 15 minutes thinking 'this is what I need' – high intensity, pressure on both teams.
"Roy has asked me how my injury is and how I feel. He hasn't really given too much away so we'll see on Monday. Fingers crossed."
Wilshere has made 28 appearances for England, his only two international goals coming in the European Championship qualifying win over Slovenia last June.
Hodgson's men take on Russia, Wales and Slovakia in Group B.“Having spoken to some of the England coaching staff, they’re trying to get him to look beyond that 10 yards that he quite often plays in for Arsenal, where he’s playing little one-twos and going past people.
“But he’s raising his head now and looking for those runs of Wayne Rooney, and they’re on the same wavelength so it’s great for Rooney. For Wilshere, fitness helps and he’s had a run of games for club of country, he’s looking really sharp.”
England secured victory as Rooney’s 73rd-minute free kick steadied the nerves as Hodgson’s men struggled to create enough chances in the final third.
Next up is a home fixture with Slovenia in November and, despite a lack of goals from midfield, Smith says there is plenty to be optimistic about.
“When the forwards are closely shackled, like they were for large periods, you want somebody to pop up from deep, somebody to make those runs into the box the way that – going back in time – Bryan Robson used to do,” he said. “David Platt and the likes of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard always had a goal in them.
“You need that and hopefully that’ll come in time. People like Fabian Delph – he can get into the box. Henderson can score goals, he does so for Liverpool. Lallana, if he plays at the tip of the diamond. So hopefully those lads will develop that knack of popping up.

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