Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere returns to England fold

Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere has been selected to make his return to international action next week.

England are set to take on Scotland at Wembley on Friday evening in the World Cup 2018 group qualifiers, before taking on Spain in a friendly match the following Tuesday evening.

The squads have now been announced for the forthcoming international matches, and Jack Wilshere has been given the opportunity to stake his claim for a regular spot, having missed out on the previous two squads.

The Arsenal youth product is spending the season on loan with Bournemouth City, in order to get his career back on track following a number of injuries and fitness issues, and has been able to complete the full 90 minutes in each of his last three outings.

He will be joined in the squad by Arsenal’s Theo Walcott who will be eager to cement his place in the England squad, especially having missed out on the Euro 2016 tournament thanks to losing his place in his club’s first-team.

The only surprise inclusion in the squad is Burnley defender Michael Keane, who has been linked with a switch to Chelsea in recent months.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino, loan from Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley);

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Michael Keane (Burnley), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur);

Midfielders: Jack Wilshere (AFC Bournemouth, loan from Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace);

Forwards: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).

Does Wilshere deserve to start for England?

Pat J