MX23RW : Saturday, December 21 01:57:49| >> :120:16617:16617:

Alan Smith impressed by Jack Wilshere for England

Former England striker Alan Smith praises Jack Wilshere for playing a key role in the team's recent Euro 2016 qualifying wins.

Former England striker Alan Smith has praised Jack Wilshere for his performances in the team's recent Euro 2016 qualifying wins over San Marino and Estonia.

The 22-year-old played in a deeper role during both games as the Three Lions maintained a 100% start to their campaign.

With the youngster having suffered a string of injury problems in the early part of his career, Smith believes that Wilshere is now benefiting from an improvement in his fitness.

"I thought Jack Wilshere was outstanding, man of the match (against Estonia)," he told Sky Sports News. "Having spoken to some of the England coaching staff, they're trying to get him to look beyond that 10 yards that he quite often plays in for Arsenal, where he's playing little one-twos and going past people.

"But he's raising his head now and looking for those runs of Wayne Rooney, and they're on the same wavelength so it's great for Rooney. For Wilshere, fitness helps and he's had a run of games for club of country. He's looking really sharp."

Wilshere and his Arsenal teammates return to Premier League action on Saturday when they entertain Hull City.

ID:182264: cacheID:182264:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2286:
Written by
Jack Prescott
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's coach Roy Hodgson walks off the pitch following the game against Estonia during a UEFA 2016 European Championship qualifying group E football match between England and Estonia in Tallinn, Estonia, on October 12, 2014
Read Next:
England's two qualifiers: Five talking points
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Texans
@
Chiefs
9.30pm
Steelers
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!