Jack Wilshere always believed he would make a full recovery from lengthy injury

England midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed he never lost hope of returning to top-level football – despite a 17-month injury absence.

The Arsenal star missed the whole of last season with ankle and knee problems but returned to first team action in the 1-0 win over QPR two weeks ago.

And he is set to return to the international fold after England manager Roy Hodgson named him in his squad for next week’s friendly in Sweden.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Wilshere, 20, said: “I always thought I could come back.

"I don’t think there was a point where I thought I’m not coming back.

"It was a serious injury and of course it kept me out for so long, but it wasn’t the result of a bad tackle or anything where it was career-threatening. It was just something that happened over time.

"I knew it would take time to heal and then I had a few setbacks. Obviously you question yourself and say ‘am I going to come back to the level that I was at before?’

“But hopefully now I can get back to training well.”

He added: “I am looking forward to the future."

England squad to face Sweden

Goalkeepers
Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).

Defenders
Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Leon Osman (Everton), Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United).

Forwards
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).