Stuart Pearce: 'Jack Wilshere won't kick a ball at the World Cup'

Former England defender Stuart Pearce believes that Arsenal's Jack Wilshere won't play a single minute at the World Cup.

Pearce, who coached the Three Lions for a brief period in 2012, thinks that the Gunners midfielder is "short of confidence" and is unlikely to play a part in Brazil.

The incoming Nottingham Forest boss told talkSPORT: "I think there are five players that will not kick a ball at the World Cup. Fraser Forster and Ben Foster are the obvious ones and I think Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling and Wilshere will be the others.

"I think [Wilshere] is very, very short of form. Watching the last game [against Honduras] I didn't see a Wilshere that sprung on the scene many months ago.

"I just think he is very, very short of confidence and I see Frank Lampard, Adam Lallana or Ross Barkley ahead of him now."

Roy Hodgson's side play Italy in their opening game on Saturday.