Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 'Jack Wilshere is replaceable'

By Joe Fish, ReporterPublished: 18 March 2013 11:52 PM

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain insists that England have the players to cope with the absence of his Arsenal teammate Jack Wilshere, who is unavailable for this week's World Cup qualifying double header.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has insisted that England have players capable of filling Jack Wilshere's shoes in their upcoming World Cup Qualifying double header.

The Three Lions face San Marino on Friday before travelling to Montenegro next Tuesday, and Wilshere has been ruled out of both matches with an ankle injury.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has admitted his Arsenal teammate is an important figure in England's midfield, but has claimed that manager Roy Hodgson has the talent to cope with his absence.

"The way he has been playing this season has been phenomenal," Oxlade-Chamberlain told Sky Sports News. "He has been outstanding in near enough every game he has played.

"His performance against Brazil was again outstanding. He got man of the match in that game and he deserved it. He is a big player for club and for country and I am sure he is going to be a massive part of England's future.

"It is a blow for us to lose him in these two qualifiers. But the other midfielders we have are brilliant players as well. They will fill in and do a brilliant job as well."

Wilshere, who has been capped seven times by England since debuting in 2010, is likely to be replaced by one of Manchester United duo Tom Cleverley or Michael Carrick.