Wilshere facing minor knee surgery

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is to undergo a minor procedure on his knee in the next few days, the club have confirmed.

The 20-year-old has not featured for the Gunners at all in the 2011-12 season because of a niggling ankle problem which was initially picked up on international duty with England.

Arsenal say Wilshere is recovering "very well" from that injury, but have revealed that during his rehabilitation he has suffered a flare up in his knee that will now be addressed with minor surgery. It said he would "travel to Sweden for a minor procedure on his left knee in the next few days".

A statement on www.arsenal.com said: "England international Jack Wilshere is continuing to recover very well from the injury to his right ankle which ruled him out of action for the 2011-12 season.

"However, his ongoing rehabilitation has seen a long-standing slight issue with his patella tendon in his left knee flare up.

"As a result, Jack will travel to Sweden for a minor procedure on his left knee in the next few days. This procedure is not expected to significantly affect Jack's comeback ahead of next season.

"On returning to England, Jack will resume his rehabilitation with the Arsenal medical team over the summer."

Wilshere's injury problems meant he had already been ruled out of the England squad for Euro 2012 before new Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson announced his selection for the tournament on Wednesday.

There has been talk of the player possibly featuring for Great Britain at the Olympics, but this latest news will cast further doubt over that prospect.