Football
Kevin Palmer 9y

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere back in days after 'minor' ankle surgery

LONDON -- Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has undergone minor ankle surgery that will rule him out of action for days rather than weeks, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

Wilshere had the procedure, originally planned for the summer, to remove some small studs from his ankle brought forward. The 23-year-old had screws inserted into his ankle two years ago as part of another procedure.

Wenger said that the decision was made as it was restricting Wilshere's progress as he looks to return to full fitness following his latest lengthy spell in the treatment room.

"Wilshere had a little surgery to take his two buttons off on his ankle because they were irritating him," he told a news conference ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Everton. "It was a very minor procedure. He will be out for a few days. It was irritating his ankle and they had to take it off.

"It was planned to be done at the end of the season and because he had an irritation with it, we decided to do it now. Next weekend would be quick for him [to play again], but it will be days and not weeks."

Wilshere has started just seven Premier League games in what has been another injury-plagued season for the England international.

Wenger had better news regarding fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini, who are returning to full training, but Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy are still a few weeks away from pushing for a first team return.

The French coach would not confirm whether centre-back Gabriel will make a first start in the Premier League following criticism of Arsenal's defenders during their surprise 3-1 defeat against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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