Arsenal's Jack Wilshere targets Barcelona for injury return

Barcelona travel to Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their last-16 showdown on Tuesday and Wilshere will watch from the stands as he continues his recovery from the injury problems which have prevented him from playing at all this season.

Wilshere broke his fibula ahead of the Community Shield against Chelsea back in August, but has stepped up his recovery by returning to training.

On Saturday Wilshere said, after some prompting by BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey, that he does hope to be available for the return fixture at Camp Nou.

“I haven’t really set a date,” he said prior to Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth-round match against Hull City. “Three weeks? Maybe, I hope so.”

He added: "The Premier League gets quicker and quicker and I know I’m not old but I’m different from when I was 19, it takes a little bit more time.

“But I’m training and running and hopefully I will be back. I’m not sure how long it’s going to take because I’ve only been doing ball work for about a week. I probably need a game in the under-21s and I’ll be ready.”

Speaking earlier on Fletch and Sav, Wilshere said that representing England at Euro 2016 was inspiring him as he fought back from his injury problems.

“That’s what keeps you going," Wilshere said, "when you are in the gym – as Robbie said it is hard work, you are working really hard. Seeing the other boys going out to training, it is tough.

“That’s what keeps you going, knowing that I’ve set myself a target: I want to go to the Euros. I want to get back and help the lads win the Premier League.”