Jack Wilshere to undergo minor ankle surgery

England won't have Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere for their summer friendlies, and the Gunners will manage his minutes for the rest of the season.

By Kim McCauley@lgbtqfc May 13, 2013, 6:22pm EDT

Jack Wilshere hasn't been declared out for Arsenal's last two games of the season, but don't expect him to start either. Arsenal issued a release stating that he will undergo minor surgery to remove a pin -- the exact day was not specified -- and that he will be limited as a result.

Since recovering from an ankle injury a month ago, Wilshere made five substitute appearances. He won't be held out of Arsenal's remaining games against Wigan Athletic and Newcastle United, but Arsene Wenger isn't going to risk his young star if he doesn't have to.

"He will need very minor surgery, but we manage that as far as we can until the end of the season. At the moment, we use him only in games when I feel he is really needed. He won't be available for England in the forthcoming friendlies, but he will be back for pre-season."

It is undoubtedly to Arsenal's benefit to keep Wilshere on the bench as a potential substitute for their remaining games if he is at no risk of causing any further damage to his ankle, then have him undergo a minor procedure that will cause him to miss a pair of England friendlies. The Three Lions do not play another competitive match until September.

Arsenal are also lucky that Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey have struck up a solid partnership in the middle, while Tomas Rosicky has finally returned to fitness to become an important player for the Gunners late in the season. Wilshere has still been an effective sub while playing at less than 100 percent, and it would be surprising to see him play no part in their final two games with Arsenal needing to win both to guarantee a fourth place finish.

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