Arsenal: Jack Wilshere should avoid travelling for Euro 2016 if he is not 100% fit, says Ray Parlour

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Ray Parlour wants Roy Hodgson to exercise caution after the England manager revealed that he wanted to take Jack Wilshere to the European Championships in France later this year despite the 24-year-old having not played a single game this season. The England international suffered a broken foot in pre-season and is likely to return to the first XI after the end of this month.

Hodgson's desire to take Wilshere to France stems from the fact that the player has won four back-to-back man of the match titles in his last four outings with England in a deep lying midfielder role, something different from what he is accustomed to at the Emirates. However, his revelation has come under a lot of flak, especially with lesser-known players by the likes of Danny Drinkwater from the table topping Leicester City side not being given a look-in.

Parlour believes that giving Wilshere precedence over other players does not send a good message to the team England contingent and that the Arsenal man should only be taken if he is able to prove his fitness with the Gunners before the end of the season. Wilshere has to play a minimum of six games and be a regular feature in the team for him to be deemed fit enough, failing which he should make way for other players in the Premier League.

"I wouldn't take anyone unless they're 100 per cent fit. I don't think you can take that gamble. They'll be no rushing back for Jack. Arsenal are taking their time with him, they're going to get him exactly how they want him before he plays again," Parlour old talkSPORT.

"But if he can get back into the squad and play six games before the end of the season, starts playing on a regular basis and starts showing his form again...Roy has always been a loyal man, and he'll be loyal to the players who have got England to the Euros.

"It's been a frustrating few years for Jack. We all know he's a great player, there's no doubt about that, but can he stay fit? That's the real question. I think Jack Wilshere will go if he IS fit, but there's a lot of competition for places. Roy's got a real dilemma with who he picks, especially in that midfield area," he added.