Wanderers Wil have big say in England's future (From Leigh Journal)

Wanderers Wil have big say in England's future

9:40am Wednesday 30th June 2010 in Bolton Wanderers By Marc Iles

IF Jack Wilshere is to answer Fabio Capello’s SOS call and solve England’s midfield problems in the years to come, then Wanderers must hope they will play a major part.

The under-pressure Italian name-checked Arsenal’s teenage playmaker as one of the few who had the potential to break through on the international stage before the next World Cup finals in 2014.

Contemplating his next move after an untimely exit at the hands of the Germans in South Africa, Capello must be praying that Arsene Wenger gives his starlet a chance to shine next season.

But whether that is at the Emirates or the Reebok is the question that Owen Coyle must be itching to find out.

At roughly this time last year, Wilshere was drawing praise from all and sundry after some star performances for the Gunners in their pre-season games.

But once the serious business of Premier League football began, he was granted only the Carling Cup to showcase his talents on a regular basis.

It took until January, when Coyle came calling, for Wilshere to cut his Premier League teeth and develop a taste for regular first team football.

Wenger will welcome his players back to the training ground at the start of next week where he will see for the first time what degree of improvement the quick-footed Londoner made during his four-month stay in the North West.

Coyle contacted the Frenchman virtually as soon as the curtain came down on last season to see if he could secure Wilshere’s services again, and reports in the North East suggest the same can be said about Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton, but given Arsenal’s rather complex situation in midfield it is perhaps unsurprising Wenger is reluctant to make a swift decision.

Cesc Fabregas has talked long and hard over a move to Barcelona, yet the transfer still seems as far away from a conclusion now as it ever has.

Likewise Aaron Ramsey. The youngster, who shot to fame last season while Wilshere honed his skills in Bolton, is still taking careful steps towards full fitness after the horrific broken leg he suffered four months ago in a challenge with Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross.

It may come down to whether Fabregas or Ramsey is available for duty when the Gunners kick-off against Liverpool on August 14 for Wanderers to land their man once more. Given more exposure to first team action, there seems little doubt among those in the Wanderers camp that the Stevenage-born midfielder can indeed translate his potential to the international scene.

Wilshere has five Under-21 caps to his name but was picked out by Capello early on in his tenure as England boss, following an electrifying performance against Rangers last summer.

“He surprised me,” said the Italian. “I saw him last year two times because he played in the Carling Cup and he has improved a lot now.

“He plays without fear with confidence. And the other players always passed the ball to him. It’s confidence. This is not normal; to be so young and so good.”

Capello’s potential England overhaul could be good news for two more Wanderers, too.

Spurs centre-half Michael Dawson was also on the manager’s shortlist, but having seen the defensive problems in South Africa, Gary Cahill must fancy his chances of making the next squad for a friendly against Hungary on August 11 .

The Wanderers defender had pushed Dawson, Matthew Upson and Ledley King close for a place in the preliminary squad for the World Cup.

He returned to something like his best form following a blood clot scare at the start of the year but, ultimately, the 11 Premier League games he missed in the interim damaged his chances irreparably.

Another Whites star who has targeted a step up to the full international stage is Fabrice Muamba, although it is likely to take another season of progression before he knocks seriously on the door.