London: Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is no nearer to returning from his long-term ankle injury after what manager Arsene Wenger says is "setback" on his road to recovery.
Reports suggest the 20-year-old could be ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, coming as a major blow to the Gunners' Champions League hopes as well as England's Euro 2012 chances.
Wenger says Wilshere "had a little setback which is under investigation ... He has pain again in his ankle."
"He has had a little setback that is under investigation at the moment, so I cannot give you how long he will be out for. At the moment he is seeing a specialist and as soon as we know more, we will communicate. It sets him back a little bit but for how long I don't know," said Wenger.
"It is the same foot but a different problem to the injury he had surgery on back in September. But is it an inflammation? We have to wait a little bit."
The England midfielder has not played for the Premier League club this season because of a right ankle injury he sustained on international duty in June, but this latest blow has come just as he was set to rejoin first-team training.
Arsenal had hoped to have Wilshere back in action this month, and the midfielder admitted his frustration after suffering yet another setback.
Wilshere said on Twitter: “It is true I have had a set back [sic] I can't tell you how long I have been set back because I don't know! I am very annoyed but will stay strong.”
The youngster, who has progressed through the Arsenal youth system, was a constant in the Gunners’ midfield last season, earning a regular England spot in the process. Wilshere is sure to make England's squad for the June 8-July 1 European Championships if he is fit.
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