Jack Wilshere has insisted he is over his fitness problems and ready to start playing regularly for England, with Steven Gerrard tipping the Arsenal player to win 100 caps and take over the captaincy.

Wilshere's luckless run with injuries has restricted him to just seven caps in three years, playing the full 90 minutes only twice, but the 21-year-old goes into the friendly against Scotland determined to make up for lost time. "I added it up recently and if I'd been fit, I would have had about 25 caps by now so that is a lot of games to miss," he said. "It's just been really frustrating. I've had only seven hours of football in total and it's all been in little dribs and drabs. Hopefully now I can get a run. That's what I really want and I think I'm ready.

“I’ve had a full pre-season, the first one I’ve had in three years, and if you ask any player they will all say that if you miss pre-season you are playing catch-up.”

Gerrard said: “There is a lot of time for him. It’s a long career, he has many years ahead of him and I’m sure once he gets to my age he will probably be sitting in my position with the armband on talking about another 100-cap player. He’s that good.”

A firm impression has been established that Arsne Wenger does not like Wilshere playing for England but the player offered an insight into the Wenger's thinking when he was asked to disclose the last thing he said to him before joining up with England. "Come back fit," he replied.
Guardian Service