England manager Roy Hodgson has suggested that Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will be handed a place in the squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The 22-year-old has been out of action since March with a foot injury, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger recently claimed that the midfielder will be fit for the tournament.

Despite Wilshere's lack of match fitness, Hodgson has suggested that the midfielder will be part of his squad, even if he does not play again this season.

"Wilshere has been training with the others at Arsenal and, while he is not being thrown back into the fray, he is there," The Independent quotes Hodgson as saying. "He has been training with the team, as far as I know, for a while.

"I am not prepared to have a 100% rule that you either play in the last game of the season or you don't go — I am not prepared to do that. I have spoken to Arsene and they have been holding him back because they don't want to push him too early."

Hodgson will name his provisional 30-man World Cup squad on May 12.