Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has insisted that he always knew he would play for the club again despite his injury nightmare.

The 20-year-old missed the whole of last season with ankle and knee problems having impressed many onlookers the previous year.

However, the England international made his comeback against Queens Park Ranger last month, and Wilshere says that he was always confident of returning to action.

"I don't think there was a point where I thought I'm not coming back," said Wilshere. "I always thought I could come back.

"It was a serious injury, 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?' Hopefully now I can get back to training well."

Wilshere misses Arsenal's home match with Fulham on Saturday after being sent off against Manchester United at the weekend.