After finally featuring heavily in an Arsenal game at the weekend, Jack Wilshere is hoping England boss Roy Hodgson names him in his Euro 2016 squad next week.

Wilshere has been battling for fitness all season and made just his second first team appearance of the campaign on Sunday afternoon, coming off the bench to play 70 minutes against Manchester City.

It was a significant return for the midfielder, who now has his eyes on more game time at the weekend and a place at the tournament in France this summer.

“I have been in contact with the coaching staff at England and they know I have been fit for six or seven weeks’ training now,” Wilshere said to Standard Sport as he waits for the squad to be announced.

476661302 englands midfielder jack wilshere speaks gettyimages
Jack Wilshere is desperate to make Roy Hodgson’s England squad this summer. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

“I would like to have played a few more minutes [in recent weeks]. I got 70 last week. Hopefully I can get a few more this week and we’ll see what happens.”

After the season, England play three friendly matches before heading across the channel for the European Championships.

Wilshere will hope to feature in Hodgson’s squad and be given at least one or two starts in the games against Turkey, Australia and Portugal to show Hodgson and his staff that he can cope with the rigours of top level football.

“If I am in the squad, I’ve got those three friendlies. That will be more than enough. I know what it takes to get back to my best and that is more than enough. I felt brilliant [on Sunday]. 

“I started watching from the bench in the first 15 minutes thinking ‘this is what I need’ — high-intensity, pressure on both teams.”

A fairly strong performance was encouraging and Wilshere would love to start against Aston Villa on Sunday, just to remind Hodgson that he’s available.

“Roy has asked me how my injury is and how I feel. He hasn’t really given too much away so we’ll see on Monday. Fingers crossed.”