Arsenal unable to put date on Jack Wilshere's return from injury, with midfielder certain to miss weekend clash with Reading

Arsenal have admitted it is impossible to put a date on Jack Wilshere's return from injury, with the midfielder certain to miss this weekend's match against Reading.

The midfielder has not played since the defeat to Tottenham on March 3 due to an ankle problem and was forced to miss England's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

It was expected Wilshere would return for Saturday's match at the Emirates, but he will now miss that, with Arsene Wenger refusing to state a specific date for his return.

"Wilshere's injury is not better or worse. It was an inflammation of his [ankle] bone and we had such history with him [that] we are a bit more cautious than we would be with you or with me," said Wenger this morning.

"We deferred a little bit his rehab by one week. We gave him one more week rest because it was wise medically to do it.

"Honestly, it's very difficult [to say when he will be back]. I believe in two weeks on Sunday, that means not the next game, the game after."

Wenger insisted that given Wilshere's injury record, having been sidelined for more than a year with a different ankle problem, the club's medical staff would take no chances.

"We will rest him when it is needed. He has regular scans and as soon as we have an alert we will respect it no matter what is at stake," Wenger said.

"Jack had a difficult moment of course when you told him because he didn't feel any special pain, but he knows he has to take care of his future. because he is a very young player, I think he accepts it."

Wilshere will be joined on the sidelines for the match against Reading by Theo Walcott, who picked up what was described as a "minor hip/groin injury" during training with the national side last week.

Arsenal also saw midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain away with England, scoring in the 8-0 rout of San Marino.

Wenger maintains he has no issue with the way his players are utilised in the World Cup qualifiers.

"I have no conversation with the (England) manager, especially when it's a competitive game. When they fight for points, he uses the players like he wants to. I don't interfere in that," Wenger said. "When it's a friendly, you try to influence a bit in your favour when it's needed. I believe that every manager does that.

"It is more communication between the two medical departments because you have to send the player away who is already half injured, but still plays.

"We have a good relationship (with England) and I have no concern about that. Walcott's (injury) is an accident that could have happened here."

England failed to hold onto their lead in the second qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica, as the hosts fought back to draw and remain in charge at the top of Group H on the road towards Brazil 2014.

Some have suggested Roy Hodgson's side lack the influence of Wilshere in midfield, the 21-year-old having impressed against Brazil at Wembley.

Wenger, though, said: "The country doesn't depend one player, no matter how good he is. I believe what is the quality of a country is the number of good players they have.

"Jack is a fantastic player, but it would be too much pressure on him to say England's future depends on him."

Arsenal will check on the fitness of full-back Kieran Gibbs (flu) and midfielder Abou Diaby (knee) ahead of Saturday's visit of the Royals, who will continue their battle against relegation under new boss Nigel Adkins.

Wenger knows with just four points separating Arsenal from fourth-placed local rivals Tottenham, there is no more room for error if they are to get back into the Champions League places.

"We just want to continue our form. Bayern and Swansea is a good inspiration to continue our run-in," Wenger said.

"There are nine games to go. We play five at home and four away. With the form we have shown at Bayern and at Swansea, I think we have a very good chance to finish in the top four."