Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has claimed that his injury woes are now firmly behind him.
The Gunners youngster endured 17 months out of the game from 2011 to 2012 before having to undergo surgery again in May.
However, the 21-year-old now feels that he is ready to play a significant part for Arsene Wenger's side next season and is also looking ahead to next summer's World Cup.
"It's such a big year for me - and it's a long season as well. In a long season, you will probably have to manage it, be a bit careful, especially with the World Cup at the end of it," Wilshere is quoted as saying in The Mirror.
"But I feel physically good. I'm a bit behind at the moment - I wasn't able to do much for about six weeks, but then I had a programme to follow and I feel good.
"I'm a player who wants to play every single game, so it's hard for me to watch games. It was tough last season, especially at the end when I picked up the other injury and I came back and wasn't really playing like myself - like I can do. I haven't had a pre-season for two years and it's like you're always playing catch up."
Arsenal will play Vietnam in a pre-season friendly today.
Paul Gorst
