Wenger put England before Arsenal, says grateful Wilshere

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere smiles as he arrives for a team training session at their training ground in London Colney, north of London, England February 18, 2014. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

(Reuters) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger dissuaded Jack Wilshere from rushing his comeback from injury to ensure he would be fit and ready for the World Cup campaign, the England midfielder has said.

The injury-prone 22-year-old, who broke his foot in March, said he had been desperate to get back to first team soccer, fearing that if he was not playing England manager Roy Hodgson might not include him in the party for Brazil.