February return for Wilshere

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is due to return in February, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

Arsenal midfielder on course for full recovery in early-2012

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is due to return in February, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed. The Gunners boss has also revealed that Wilshere has undergone an "exceptionally good" scan, as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. The 19-year-old suffered the blow during a pre-season game against New York Red Bulls in July. Despite being on schedule for a return, Wenger confirmed that he will not be returning to the Arsenal side before February.

Important scan

Wenger said: "He had a very important scan on Thursday and that was very, very good, exceptionally good. "The news we have for Jack is very positive. No [he will not be back sooner], we will respect the delays. I count maybe mid-February for Jack." Meanwhile, defender Kieran Gibbs, who has been missing with a hernia injury, is set to make his comeback against Aston Villa on Wednesday. Like other Premier League sides, the Gunners face four fixtures in a fortnightly-period, with Manchester City, Aston Villa, Wolves and QPR all to be played before 2012. Wenger added: "He (Gibbs) is one week maximum away. He could be present at Aston Villa or the game after (against Wolves). Of course, you want him back and to play."