Arsenal injury news: Jack Wilshere pleased with his fitness following Newcastle game

Jack Wilshere has revealed that he is well on course to return to full fitness after completing 65 minutes against Newcastle United in a U-21 game at the Emirates. The 24-year-old has not played a single first-team game this season with a broken fibula and has just returned to training after recovering from the injury. Tomas Rosicky was the other player who started the game, having recovered from a long-term problem and hopes to get back into the first team as soon as possible.

The midfielder aims to go to the European Championships in France with England and has been given a massive boost by manager Roy Hodgson who is ready to pick him for the squad if he can prove his fitness. Wilshere was given the man of the match award on four consecutive occasions during England's qualification drive for the Euros and will be a brilliant addition to the English squad which recently beat Germany in an international friendly.

The next step for Wilshere would be to get into the Arsenal first team and prove his fitness at the top. The Gunners have floundered yet again in the title race, as they drew 3-3 with West Ham in a must win game at Upton Park.

"That [return to first team] is the aim," he told Arsenal's official website. "I have said before I want to go to the Euros and I know that I have to get back into the Arsenal team. I have to persuade the England manager and Arsène Wenger that I should play.

"I felt good. It is nice to be back at Emirates Stadium and play my first game. I know that I'm not there yet, not quite ready to play in the first team but it is another step closer to my fitness. You can train as much as you want, but the toughest thing is getting competition ready with the players and this all helps."

The midfielder also had kind words for Rosicky, who played 45 minutes in the game after having returned from a long term problem.

"He [Rosicky] looked sharp. He still has that change of pace over those first five yards and he can still play the final ball. He was looking sharp," Wilshere added.