EXCLUSIVE: Wilshere could be back in January
Published 23:00 24/11/11 By John Cross
Jack Wilshere is expecting to give Arsenal and England a major fitness boost.
Wilshere is making quicker than expected progress in his rehabilitation after surgery on a foot injury, and could return to training in the next few weeks.
The midfielder has even been penciled in for a reserve match against Fulham on January 24.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not expecting him to be ready for the first team until February, but that is still way ahead of the April return which once represented the worst-case scenario.
If all goes to plan, the 19-year-old will also be on course to be ready for England's Euro 2012 campaign.
Wenger confirmed Wilshere's progress and said: "The news is good, but he will not be available before the end of January."
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also mapping out a fixture plan for in-form Robin van Persie, to ensure the Dutch striker stays fit for the rest of the campaign.
Van Persie has been in irresistible form, scoring 17 goals this season - he has netted 38 times in 41 matches in 2011 - as Arsenal have revived their season domestically and in Europe.
However, he has struggled in previous campaigns because of injury and the Gunners are desperate to make sure it does not happen again.
They have been looking at the forthcoming fixtures to see where they can rest him and also persuaded the Dutch FA to rest him for one of their two friendlies earlier this month.
Van Persie is set to play against Fulham on Saturday, but is likely to be rested against Manchester City in the Carling Cup and also be left at home for the final Champions League group match at Olympiacos next month.
Wenger and his staff have mapped out scenarios that would see him potentially sitting out Carling Cup and FA Cup ties, as well as rotating games over the busy festive period.
Van Persie has admitted that being excused from Holland's recent friendly against Germany did help and thanked the Dutch FA.
He added: "Having a little rest can give you an extra five or 10 per cent in a game."
