Roy Hodgson warns Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere it would be 'naive' to think he can walk back into England squad
Friday 05 October 2012
Related articles
Roy Hodgson does not expect Jack Wilshere to waltz straight back into the England team.
Arsenal midfielder Wilshere has just returned to action 16 months after his last competitive game.
It has already been suggested the 20-year-old will place a huge question mark over Frank Lampard's international future by claiming one of those prized midfield berths.
But Hodgson is not considering that just now.
He recognises finding top form after spending so long on the sidelines is not going to be a simple task.
"It's great to see Jack back, but it's naive to think he'll walk back into being what he wants," Hodgson said.
Instead it is another group of youngsters in the frame for next Friday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino.
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been chosen for the first time, Stoke's Ryan Shawcross is also in - two years and seven months after his only previous call-up - while Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs will hope to add to the two caps he won in 2010.
In addition, Gibbs' team-mate Carl Jenkinson is in line to face Sweden in November's friendly in Gothenburg after almost getting in the squad Hodgson announced yesterday.
"He's on our radar and someone we're keen to explore," the manager said.
"On this occasion, we decided to keep Jenkinson up our sleeves but he'll be very much in our thoughts when it comes to the next friendly match.
"After speaking to (Arsenal manage) Arsene (Wenger) I am also conscious that his rise has been meteoric.
"He's only 20 and it's nice to temper things a little bit, but he wouldn't be out of place in the squad."
Evidently Shawcross did not impress then coach Fabio Capello as he neither earned his first cap against Egypt in March 2010, nor was picked by the Italian again.
An oft-repeated accusation of being over-physical has continued to dog the former Manchester United trainee, but Hodgson believes such a tag is unwarranted.
"He's captain of Stoke," Hodgson said. "When you captain a team, it shows you have certain qualities and the people running Premier League clubs are not stupid.
"Like all centre-backs, he'll be accused of overstepping the mark from time to time. But that would be a harsh criticism."
PA
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco
Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...
by Gareth Purnell
24 May 2013 02:00 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages
Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...
by Martin Ayres
23 May 2013 05:29 PM
iBet: Rose has the ammunition for Wentworth
McDowell did brilliantly to land the World Match Play title in Bulgaria last week, but it’s a format...
by Gareth Purnell
23 May 2013 09:13 AM
-
David Moyes delighted after Rio Ferdinand agrees to stay at Manchester United with new one-year contract
-
Sergio Garcia / Tiger Woods 'fried chicken' racism row takes fresh twist after 'coloured athletes' comment
-
After racist remark, Sergio Garcia fights for reputation as Tiger Woods slams 'hurtful' fried chicken joke
-
New Manchester City manager must deliver five trophies in five years
-
Manchester United slash interest bill by £10m a year
- 1 Pope Francis: Being an atheist is alright as long as you do good
- 2 Man and woman arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder victim of Woolwich machete attack, named as Drummer Lee Rigby
- 3 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
- 4 Archaeologists uncover nearly 5,000 cave paintings in Burgos, Mexico
- 5 Woolwich attack: The EDL will seek to exploit this evil crime for their own evil ends
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Career Services
Day In a Page
The man who's eaten everywhere
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?
Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them




Comments