WILSHERE MAY MISS REST OF THE SEASON

Former Arsenal midfielder may miss the rest of the season if reports making the rounds are to be taken seriously.

Eyebrows were raised when Wilshere signed for the hammers last summer. While nobody was doubting the former Arsenal man’s quality, the core of the concerns was based on his fitness and injury record. Wilshere joined the Hammers on a free transfer during the summer, and the former Arsenal man initially found himself in Manuel Pellegrini ‘s starting line up.

The 27-year-old has mustard just five minutes of playing time since West Ham’s defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of December. This is due to a reoccurringankle injury which has already required surgery. Wilshere was initially set to make his return from the sidelines this month. The midfielder did not travel with the rest of the squad on their short winter training camp in Spain. And his ankle injury means he is unlikely to play again in the final three months of the campaign. The playmaker signed a three-year contract at the London Stadium in the summer.

The Westham board are pondering on the cost incurred by signing Jack Wilshere even though he was signed on a free transfer. According to sports payroll website Spotrac Wilshere earns £100,000 per week with the Hammers. In total he earns £5.2 million per annum without bonuses. Although this is £50,000 less than he was on with the Gunners, but it makes him West Ham’s third highest paid player behind Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez. It was also revealed that it was not on a pay as you play basis. Wilshere has played just four games for Manuel Pellegrini’s side and featured once as a late sub.

Wilshere made his comeback from his first ankle injury as a late sub against Newcastle. A match in which he made an assist for Felipe Anderson on his way for a sublime third goal in a 3-0 win. But he had sustained another injury in his other ankle, keeping him out ever since. It is a shame for the player who said he had realised a dream by signing for the club he supported growing up.