Wenger lifts lid on Wilshere's Euro hopes

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Jack Wilshere may miss the European Championships as he is making 'slow progress' after ankle surgery.

The Arsenal midfielder has missed the entire campaign due to the ankle injury he picked up last summer, but it was hoped that he could force his way back into contention to be in the England squad for Euro 2012 by recovering before the end of the season. However Wenger has now revealed that Wilshere is 'down' given that he has not yet started training with the Gunners' first team and he doubts that he will be back up to full match fitness by the time the European Championships get underway in June. "I will not take any risks with him," Wenger said. "He is making slow progress so we still have to monitor the situation a little bit at the moment. "We are now in mid-April, the Euros start in the middle of June. Jack has not played for the whole season and anyone who knows what is required at the top level, in terms of intensity, it's getting short now." On Wilshere's frame of mind, Wenger added: "How can you be at 19 years of age when you're only dream is to play football. He's down. "Jack is mentally strong. But what is holding him back is that he can't play football, so he can't be happy."