'Talented' Jack Wilshere is raring to go, says Hodgson

Roy Hodgson says Jack Wilshere is "raring to go" for England after being absent from the Three Lions set-up for the last six months.

The Arsenal midfielder played as Hodgson's side won 3-1 against Scotland in November. However, an injury against Manchester United four days later kept him on the sidelines until his Gunners return at the start of May.

Now, with an England double-header on the horizon - away against Republic of Ireland and Slovenia, the boss believes the two games will give the 23-year-old a chance to prove he is back to full fitness.

"He has been good in a couple of sub appearances so there is no doubt about his fitness," said Hodgson. "He was very good [against Sunderland on Wednesday]. I was there - I thought he played well.

"He is physically fit and is raring to go. These couple of matches will give him a further opportunity to prove that and come back next season 100 per cent fit and fighting for his place in the Arsenal team." 

He continued: "I am happy to see him back, I am disappointed that a season that started so well in the autumn, especially for us, was blighted by yet another injury. 

"But it's over now so let's hope that he continues injury free from now on in." 

Jack Wilshere in action against Sunderland last week

Wilshere, who has 26 caps for the Three Lions, is one of nine midfielders in Hodgson's 24-man squad for the trips to Dublin and Ljubljana next month.

While he often played in a deep-lying role in the middle of the park for England earlier this season, Hodgson believes he is capable of operating in a number of positions, as he proved for Arsenal last week.

And the former West Brom, Fulham and Liverpool gaffer says his adaptability is something that can benefit both club and country.

"He can play lots of roles, he is such a talented footballer," said the England manager.

"We were happy with the role he played for us but watching him play as a right-sided midfielder on Wednesday night, he played that role well too." 

Wilshere now has 26 caps for England

He added: "If you have a player of that talent it's not unusual to play different roles for club and his country because the balance in both teams is very different. 

"And each manager needs to use the player where he can fit him in best and where he does his most effective work."

Following England's two games in June, they then return to action in September with an away game in San Marino followed by their first home game of the new season against Switzerland.

Tickets for the Euro Qualifier against the Swiss on Tuesday 8 September are now available to order online from www.TheFA.com/tickets. For further ticket details, click here.