Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere out for another month after suffering injury setback

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Jack Wilshere is set for at least another month on the sidelines after making a slow recovery from a hairline fracture to his leg.

The Arsenal midfielder is not expected to be fit for England's next round of Euro 2016 qualifiers in October and surgery has not yet been ruled out. 

It is another devastating blow for the 23-year-old who only returned in May from five months out with ankle ligament damage.

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Jack Wilshere is set to spend another month on the sidelines after slow recovery from hairline leg fracture

Manager Arsene Wenger had hoped he would be back in time to face Stoke this weekend but met with Arsenal doctors on Thursday to discuss his condition after already being out for four weeks.

Wilshere is in the process of having scans and consulting specialists to ascertain the best possible treatment. If surgery is required, he could be out for up to three months.

'I have not seen Jack Wilshere in the last two or three days,' Wenger said. 'He is progressing slowly and I can't tell you much more about it. 

Arsene Wenger confirmed in a Thursday press conference that the England midfielder is 'progressing slowly'

'It is slower than expected as I expected him to be back and available after the international break, but unfortunately he will not be available for Saturday. He had a little setback.'

Wenger spoke publicly on Thursday for the first time since he faced heavy criticism from Arsenal fans for failing to sign a striker in the transfer window. The Frenchman responded by telling supporters they should not expect a miracle in the transfer market and to get behind the team they have.

'I think to support the club and support the team is to stand behind the players,' he said. 'It is not always expecting someone coming down from heaven to sort out all your problems. Support is believing in the players, in the squad and this is a good opportunity to do that for our supporters.'

Wilshere has been beset by injuries in the past year and missed five months last season with an ankle injury

Fans accused Wenger of lying to them when it was revealed the decision for Danny Welbeck to undergo knee surgery was made well before the transfer window shut. Wenger denied misleading fans and diligently attempted to buy a striker. 

But he confirmed Welbeck will be out 'certainly until Christmas' leaving them with only Olivier Giroud as a recognised striker, with Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott alternate forward options.

'I have made more than 300 transfers and every time it's a decision to make,' Wenger explained. 'Do you buy the player because he strengthens his squad or not? The solutions we had were not convincing at all.

'In the end you do not buy to give one hope, you want to buy because the players who come in can help your squad to be stronger. Buying and selling is one way to strengthen your team but that's not the only way.'