Midfielder glad to be involved with England again after injury

Jack Wilshere admits he uses England captain Steven Gerrard as a role model after making his return to international action this week.

The Arsenal man made his comeback during Wednesday's international with Sweden in Stockholm, where Gerrard won his 100th cap.

And if Wilshere can come anywhere close to matching that tally, it's something to be proud of.

He said: "It's great to be back and I've got to say congratulations to Steven Gerrard. It is a great achievement.

"For me he is one of the best midfielders in the world, he still is, and he has been at the top of his game for eight to nine years.

"He is definitely someone to look up to and he is great to have around the squad.

"He talks to me, he talks to me on the pitch and it's the first time I've played with him and it's a pleasure to play with someone like that.

 "I think any young English midfielder would look up to someone like him, especially his long passing, his vision, and everything.

The 20-year-old midfielder is also happy to be playing under an English manager in Roy Hodgson, after winning his previous five caps under Fabio Capello.

"For me, it's a whole new squad, new manager, new coaching staff, and it's been great to be back around them and see how they want to work with me," he added.

"It's totally different to when the other manager (Capello) was in and I like it. It's an English manager and it's good that he knows the history and everything.

His call-up to the squad came after a handful of games for Arsenal, which he admitted came as a surprise following his long term injury.

But with more minutes under his belt now, Wilshere admits he is happy to be back playing for his country and knows he is still to recapture his best form.

He said: "It's great to be back. Seventeen months on the sidelines is tough for anyone. I'm getting there. I don't feel 100 per cent yet and everyone can see that. I feel better and better as every game goes on.

"This is my first long-term injury. I need to get some games under my belt and properly get back into the swing of things and we see where we go.

"I'm glad I came. It's a pleasure to play for England and I will never say no."

England's next game kicks off an exciting year of fixtures as The FA celebrates its 150th Anniversary.

Hodgson's side meet Brazil at Wembley Stadium on 6 February and tickets will go on sale soon, so keep coming back here or follow @FA on Twitter to make sure you don't miss out......