Jack Wilshere is in line to return to West Ham’s squad for the first time in three months for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.
Wilshere, who joined West Ham from Arsenal during the summer on a three-year contract, has been out since the start of September following ankle surgery.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini must now decide whether the 26-year-old Wilshere, whose playing career has been punctuated by a succession of injuries, is ready to return this weekend or that he needs even longer to recover from this latest setback. Wilshere was originally expected to return last month but suffered inflammation around the injured ankle.
With striker Andy Carroll an unused substitute in last weekend’s match against Manchester City, West Ham’s injury worries are easing but five men still have long-term problems — Winston Reid, Manuel Lanzini, Carlos Sanchez, Andriy Yarmolenko and Ryan Fredericks.
Marko Arnautovic, who limped off towards the end of the 4-0 defeat by Manchester City, is having intensive treatment for a hip problem.
