Wilshere ready for Euro 2016 challenge

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere says he knows exactly what he needs to do in order to make England’s squad for the European Championships this summer.

The midfielder has suffered another nightmare season with injury but he says Roy Hodgson has been ‘very encouraging’ and that the England boss has told him what is required to make the squad for France.

Wilshere broke his leg during pre-season last summer and has not featured for the Arsenal first team this season to date.

He made his comeback in an U21 clash with Newcastle on Friday, featuring for more than an hour as the Gunners ran out 3-1 winners.

Afterwards, Wilshere revealed his target is to make the Three Lions squad for Euro 2016.

“The end target is to get in the Euro squad,” he said.

“I spoke to the England manager, I know what I need to do to get in, and that is the target.”

Wilshere was a vital part of Hodgson’s set-up in qualifying, featuring in five of England’s ten wins and scoring twice.

The 24-year-old says he did enough in qualifying to show Hodgson exactly what he brings to the team and is confident he can force his way back into the squad.

“I know what he wants from me and he knows what he gets from me as well, so that is why he has been really positive and wants me involved,” he added.

“That is why I played in the qualifiers and we won every game. I know what I need to do to get in there and hopefully I will.”

Wilshere’s return comes just as Liverpool and England midfielder Jordan Henderson appears likely to be ruled out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury he sustained in the Europa League clash against Borussia Dortmund.

England are 9.00 to win Euro 2016 this summer. Tournament hosts France are 4.00 while world champions Germany are 4.50.