Jack Wilshere points to England resolve during Turkey win

Sunday 22 May 2016
Jack Wilshere made his first England appearance since June 2015

Jack Wilshere believes the resolve England showed in their 2-1 win over Turkey offers them encouragement ahead of the Euros.

Harry Kane gave Roy Hodgson’s side a third-minute lead in the first of three tournament warm-up matches.

Hakan Calhanoglu equalised shortly before the quarter-hour mark with Turkey’s first-ever goal against England.

England 2-1 Turkey

International Match
Sunday 22 May 2016
City of Manchester Stadium

The visitors, who were unbeaten in 13 matches, had a few chances after the break but England survived those and shrugged off a penalty miss by Kane as Vardy smashed home a late winner from a tight angle.

And Wilshere was pleased with the determination his team-mates showed to get the victory.

He said: “That’s a side of the game that we have to do.

“We are going into a tournament and there are going to be games where are going to be in front and teams are going to come out and look for the win so I thought we did well today.”

Wilshere was making his first international appearance since he starred in England’s 3-2 win in Slovenia last June.

The Arsenal midfielder missed virtually the whole season through injury and has only made a comeback over the last couple of months.

But he said he feels fresh and fit enough to make England’s final 23-man squad for Euro 2016, which Hodgson will confirm after next week’s match against Australia in Sunderland.

Wilshere, who was replaced by Jordan Henderson in the second half, added: “I feel good.

“I’ve been back training for seven or eight weeks. I haven’t played 90 minutes yet but I’ve played a few games for the [Arsenal] first team [and] a few games before that.

“Every game I feel better and hopefully that can continue.”

Match-winner Vardy said Wilshere’s qualities were obvious and reckons the more game-time he gets, the better position he will be in to make it to France.

Jamie Vardy is congratulated by England team-mates after his winner against Turkey

Vardy is congratulated after netting the winner

Vardy said: “He’s brilliant. You can see what he brings. He’s nice and calm on the ball, he can see that killer pass.

“For him to get 100 per cent fit he needs games. There’s no better thing than match practice.

“He’s had a good few minutes under his belt tonight and I’m sure he can get some again next week.”

The 83rd-minute winner was Vardy’s third international goal, and it went some way to sparing Kane’s blushes following his second-half penalty miss.

But Vardy has backed his fellow frontman to put the miss behind him.

He added: “It’s one of them things that happens sometimes, but I’m sure he’ll be the first one to put his name forward for a penalty if we get one again.”

Tickets are still available for England's two remaining pre-EURO 2016 friendlies, starting at just £20 for adults and £10 for under-16s – book online at TheFA.com/Tickets now.

By Glenn Lavery