Arsenal crock Jack Wilshere set for another spell on the sidelines after injuring ankle

Jack Wilshere faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines
Scans on Wilshere’s ankle have shown a suspected hairline fracture
Arsenal are expecting a final prognosis on the injury at the end of the week
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Published:
21:30 GMT, 5 August 2015

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Updated:
07:33 GMT, 6 August 2015

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Jack Wilshere is set for another heartbreaking long-term lay-off after it emerged his latest injury is worse than initially feared.

In a devastating blow to the Arsenal and England midfielder, the latest scans on his injured ankle have shown up a suspected hairline fracture.

Arsenal expect to make a final diagnosis by the end of the week, but their best possible scenario is that the injury will rule Wilshere out for six to eight weeks.

Jack Wilshere is sidelined again and the start of his season is on hold for now

Wilshere has injured his ankle and is set to miss the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign

The Arsenal midfielder has a lengthy history of problems with ankle injuries

If the 23-year-old needs surgery, he could miss up to three months – though Arsenal are hoping to avoid that eventuality.

The Gunners originally thought the injury would keep Wilshere sidelined only until after the next international break at the start of September.

But Arsene Wenger is now facing up to being without his midfielder, who sustained the injury in training on Saturday, for much longer.

Manager Arsene Wenger has been left to contemplate his midfield options after news of Wilshere’s layoff

WILSHERE’S INJURY WOE

October 2009 – Ankle (out for five weeks)

January 2010 – Hamstring (five weeks)

November 2010 – Back (two weeks)

August 2011 – Ankle (14 months)

February 2013 – Hip (one week)

March 2013 – Ankle (four weeks)

May 2013 – Ankle surgery (seven weeks)

October 2013 – Ankle (two weeks)

January 2014 – Ankle (two weeks)

March 2014 – Ankle (two months)

October 2014 – Ankle (two weeks)

November 2014 – Ankle (five months)

August 2015 – Ankle (estimated two months)

It is the latest in a long line of injury problems for Wilshere, who only returned to action in May after a five-month lay-off caused by ankle ligament damage.

Wilshere has had hip, hamstring and back injuries over the last five years, but the vast majority of his issues have been with his ankles, which have already ruled him out of more than two years of football.

After suffering a stress fracture of his right ankle in a pre-season friendly against New York Red Bulls in July 2011, he spent 14 months on the sidelines, before enduring five separate lay-offs in the space of 12 months from March 2013 with ankle problems.

In November last year, a challenge from Manchester United’s Paddy McNair led to another long-term absence and Wilshere only returned for the final six matches of the season.

After starring for England in June, it was hoped that he had finally put his problems behind him and could look forward to a productive season ahead of the European Championship finals next summer.

However, yet another injury set-back has now put Wilshere’s long-term future in doubt once again.