West Ham United central midfielder Jack Wilshere is expected to miss around six weeks of first team action after ankle surgery, according to the Guardian.
The summer signing missed Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Everton after spraining his ankle in training, and it has now been confirmed that he will be forced to sit on the sidelines for as many as the next five games, including matches against Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
“Jack underwent successful surgery in London on Monday morning for a minor ongoing ankle issue,” West Ham’s head of medical Richard Collinge told the club’s official website.
“The surgeon was happy with the procedure and all went as planned.”
The news is a blow for the 5’6″ [Source: Transfermarkt] former Arsenal man who was handed a three year contract at the London Stadium this summer.
OPINION
Not only is this disappointing for Wilshere, it’s also bad news for Manuel Pellegrini. The Guardian’s report states that it was Pellegrini who pushed for Wilshere to be given a three year deal this summer, as the Hammers hierarchy only wanted to offer him a one year contract because of his injury troubles. The Chilean is now left with a bit of egg on his face, and will have to continue without the 26-year-old for the next month and a half. The good news for the manager is that he appears to have found a midfield system that worked for him against Everton, as the trio of Declan Rice, Mark Noble and Pedro Obiang impressed mightily. That means the loss of Wilshere won’t be felt as keenly as it otherwise might have. Still, it’s a body blow for Wilshere and a bit embarrassing for Pellegrini too. Hopefully he gets back to full fitness soon.
