Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere to face anxious wait over broken leg

The England international has been sent on holiday by the club for a few days and they hope to have a clearer view of his situation when he returns

Jack Wilshere was injured on Saturday in training (PA)

Jack Wilshere faces another period out of action after a hairline crack in his fibula was detected following a training ground injury on Saturday.

He missed five months of last season, from the end of November to the start of May, and now the England midfielder must endure another period of uncertainty while he waits to find out the extent of this injury.

It is the same left ankle that he had surgery on following Paddy McNair’s tackle on him in November when he damaged ligaments. The best case scenario is that Wilshere will not require surgery this time and could be back training again within four weeks.

There is a risk that it could be much longer. He has been sent on holiday by the club for a few days and they hope to have a clearer view of his situation when he returns.

Either way, it is a huge blow for the 23-year-old who hit his stride with England at the end of last season, scoring twice in the 3-2 win in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia in June. He had looked sharp in pre-season.

Wilshere will miss England’s qualifiers in September against San Marino and Switzerland.

Arsène Wenger said on the club’s website: “I had a bad surprise because it is a hairline crack in his fibula that makes him a few weeks out. There is minimal damage apart from the bone damage – there is no damage at all apart from that. It was a collision in training and it was all completely accidental.”

Misfiring Gunner: Wilshere’s injury woe

Oct 2009 Ankle (missed five weeks)

Jan 2010 Hamstring (five wks)

Nov 2010 Back (10 days)

Aug 2011 Ankle (15 months)

Feb 2013 Hip (week)

Mar 2013 Ankle (five weeks)

May 2013 Ankle (seven weeks)

Oct 2013 Ankle (two weeks)

Jan 2014 Ankle (two weeks)

Mar 2014 Ankle (two months)

Oct 2014 Ankle (two weeks)

Nov 2014 Ankle (five months)