England midfielder Jack Wilshere says he’s ready to play 90 minutes against the Caltex Socceroos to prove he deserves a spot in Roy Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad.
The Arsenal start manged just three EPL appearances this season after breaking his leg, while he managed 65 minutes in the Three Lions’ 2-1 friendly win over Turkey on Monday (AEST).
With Hodgson set to name his final 23-man squad for the Euros after the clash with Australia at the Stadium of Light, Wilkshere hopes to get a full match against Ange Postecoglou’s troops to press his claims.
"I feel I'm ready for 90 minutes, I wouldn't be here otherwise. I've played a few games now and the next step is 90 minutes but I feel better and better,” he told reporters following the Turkey clash.
"Medically I'm fine, I've been training for seven or eight weeks.
“Maybe I'm missing five per cent match fitness but I think we've got two games and I can get that then."
Hodgson has a wealth of midfield depth at his disposal, strengthening Wilshere’s argument to play 90 minutes to put his case forward for selection.
The 24-year-old appears in a battle with the likes of Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater, Manchester City star Fabian Delph and Tottenham’s Eric Dier for position’s in the middle of the park, with Hodgson unlikely to take all four to France.
Meanwhile, the absence of Jamie Vardy against the Socceroos due to his wedding has been off-set by the return of skipper Wayne Rooney, Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and teenager Marcus Rashford.
The trio all missed the game against Turkey but are all available to be unleashed against the Green and Gold in Sunderland on Saturday morning (AEST).