Wenger: I may have overplayed Wilshere

London: Arsene Wenger admitted he has over-played Jack Wilshere after he was ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

England’s tyro was already ruled out of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, but injuries to both ankles will create another headache for England’s head coach Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson will be without Wilshere for the World Cup qualifiers and has concerns over form and fitness of a number of senior players before Thursday’s squad announcement.

England’s medical staff, including physio Gary Lewin, have been kept informed about Wilshere’s progress, but he will not be considered for the squad. England meet next Monday at St George’s Park to prepare for the away game against San Marino on Friday, but Wilshere has been told he doesn’t need to report.

Wilshere has damaged his ankles, with indications that he could cause another stress fracture to the bone which kept him out for 17 months.

Wenger also revealed that the club are so sensitive about Wilshere’s ankles that the midfielder has a scan each month to check their condition.

The Arsenal manager said: “Maybe I overplayed him, but only in the last two games. It’s difficult to rest him because he’s a winner and when I ask how he feels, he says ‘perfect’. We do a regular scan and it showed bone bruising on the heel of his right foot.

“He had some inflammation where he had the surgery and he has been compensating to protect his left ankle. Every month he has scans on both ankles, but he feels no pain.

“The last time we let him carry on and it turned into a stress fracture, which is why the specialist said we cannot take this gamble.”

Wilshere showed signs of frustration during Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat against Bayern in the first leg of their Champions League clash at the Emirates.

He played the following weekend against Aston Villa, but looked off the pace when his side were beaten by Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Wenger added: “Maybe this is a good learning process for us. Maybe after 20 games, to give him a breather of one or two games and then the come back will be good.”

Wilshere, who has made 22 starts and two appearances off the bench this season, is not expected to play for three to four weeks.

The 21-year-old returned to the national team as a substitute in the 4-2 defeat by Sweden last November following a 17-month injury lay-off.

The midfielder, in Dubai recovering from his latest setback, was one of England’s best players in last month’s win over Brazil at Wembley.

Hodgson was aware of Wilshere’s injury when he held a coaches’ meeting with Gary Neville and England’s assistant manager Ray Lewington on Monday. The absence of the Arsenal star will open the door for Frank Lampard, who scored the winner against Brazil last month, to start with Steven Gerrard. Gareth Barry, who has not played for England since the 1-0 victory against Norway in May 2012, may be recalled too, with Scott Parker another option.