Ray Parlour has backed Jack Wilshere to develop into a "world-class" midfielder - if the Arsenal star can stay injury free this season.

England international Wilshere had ankle surgery back in November and only returned to the Gunners side in the final few weeks of last season, but turned in a couple of eye-catching performances for club and country.

Former Arsenal midfielder Parlour thinks that Wilshere can become one of the game's elite if he stays clear of further problems.

Parlour told The Sport Review: "Injuries have probably stopped him getting to world class but if he can stay injury-free for two or three seasons, I think we'll see the best of Jack Wilshere. He's certainly a top-class player.

"We've seen what he does – when he played for England he was superb and scored two cracking goals. That is one part of his game he probably has to improve, scoring a few more goals from midfield.

"But he's such good quality, I remember at 15 when he first came over to train with the lads, he was so confident about his own ability, training with Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, he was superb and I always said he would be a star of the future."

Arsenal meet Everton this afternoon in a pre-season friendly.