Wilshere has his work cut-out if he is to force his way back into West Ham’s starting XI

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West Ham ace Jack Wilshere missed most of last season through injury.

The 27-year-old arrived at the London Stadium on a free transfer after his release from Arsenal.

Much was expected of Wilshere, but as per usual, injuries have hindered his progress with the Hammers.

The Englishman is now back fully fit and available for selection, however. There is a big problem for Wilshere though – the form of Mark Noble and Declan Rice.

Wilshere started the first two Premier League games of the season, but has been dropped since then.

Noble and Rice currently occupy the two holding midfield positions in the West Ham team. And both have been quite simply superb over the past month or so.

When Manuel Pellegrini has used Wilshere, he has mostly played him in the holding midfield role, utilising his deep-lying play-maker skills.

As things stand, however, there is no way that the former Arsenal man will be chosen ahead of either Noble or Rice.

Wilshere will have a great chance to impress tonight against Oxford United in the Carabao Cup, however…should he get a start.

The talented midfielder has all of the attributes required to make a real difference for West Ham. He might just have to bide his time and be patient this season, however.

Mark Noble is 32, and will need to be rested periodically. And perhaps that will be Wilshere’s best chance to force his way back into the Hammers starting XI.

There is of course, another avenue for the 27-year-old. He could be utilised in the number 10 role. And with Manuel Lanzini out injured for a month, the door is certainly open for Jack.

Whether Pellegrini opts for Pablo Fornals instead, however, remains to be seen.

Whatever happens, Wilshere must keep working hard in training, and proving to his manager that he is up for the fight this season.