Jack's Back-Injuries And Timing Three Into Two Won't Work

West Ham signed Jack Wilshere last summer on a free transfer after his contract at Arsenal expired, he was offered a three year deal much to the chargrin of co-owner David Sullivan who argued, given Wilshere's injury record, that a 'rolling' one year contract would be preferable. Unfortunately Manuel Pellegrini stood firm and insisted on giving Wilshere the deal that he wanted, apparently Jack's agent would not sanction his client signing a deal for anything less than three years.

The 27 year old started the first four games of the season for West Ham, all of which ended in defeat, before suffering the first of his season's injuries. They kept him sidelined for three months but he returned in early December as a late substitute, providing an assist in the 3-0 win against Newcastle United. However, that five minute cameo was the last appearance of Wilshere, who has spent the last three and a half months out with injury.

With just five games played this season it has been an incredibly unsuccessful and expensive debut campaign for the lad who has always been an avid fan coming from, as he does, a staunch Hammers supporting family. As is the case with that other injury prone England player Andy Carroll, Jack Wilshere doesn't like being injured and not playing, he has spent virtually his entire career on and off the treatment table and sadly looks as if he will never be able to fully show the undoubted talent that he has.

Wilshere told one of the main media outlets: “I am back in full training – it has been a long time, frustrating but it was something I had to do after speaking to the specialists, I am trying to get fit [but] it is not a great time to come back because you get fully fit, maybe play a couple of games and then the season finishes. It is going to be a big off-season for me as well but I am feeling good and I want to play again this [season].”

Admirable talk indeed, but there is a bit of an issue regarding any 'come back' appearance, who does he replace? Since Jack has been out injured, both Manuel Lanzini and Samir Nasri have become available to the manager, both play the creative midfield role that he likes to play so how can he be accommodated? The answer is he cannot, unless Manuel Pellegrini wants to choose him ahead of Lanzini and Nasri, the best Wilshere can hope for is a place on the bench, and that will suit neither the player nor West Ham who are paying £100,000 per week for the privilege of not using his services.

As signings go Jack Wilshere's has been a bit of a mare, but Manuel Pellegrini wanted to take the risk, unfortunately it didn't come off, whereas all of his others did, with the possible exception of Carlos Sanchez! Where do the club and player move on from here? Perceived wisdom would see Jack Wilshere sent out on a recallable loan in order for him to get game time, because as the player himself stated it is very difficult to get up to speed if you only have sporadic opportunities to play, and realistically both Nasri and Lanzini appear to be far better options, but then again we are talking about West Ham United a club renowned for it's lengthy injury list, and one which is only one tackle away from crisis. - Ed