Jack Wilshere's hopes of being match-fit in time for Saturday's FA Cup semifinal against Reading at Wembley have been boosted after he played 88 minutes of Arsenal's latest under-21 game on Monday night.
Wilshere said last week that he has long targeted the Wembley date as a moment to make his return, as he hopes to finish this latest injury hit season on a high and it appears he is close to full fitness after this latest appearance.
Wilshere played in an under-21 game at Emirates Stadium last week, before manager Arsene Wenger confirmed his England midfielder was fit to return to his first team squad for the trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor last Saturday.
However, the 23 year-old -- who had not played for the Arsenal first team since picking up an ankle injury against Manchester United in late November -- failed to make any appearance in the Burnley game as Wenger decided he needed a few extra days to prove his fitness.
That process may not have been concluded after his latest run-out for the youthful Arsenal side, who lost to Reading at Emirates Stadium on Monday.
Arsenal will be hoping that result is not a bad omen for this weekend, with Reading's senior side the opposition in Saturday's FA Cup clash.
Meanwhile, Wilshere faces a battle to get into an Arsenal midfield that have been in fine form in his absence, with a place on the Wembley bench now the likely outcome for the midfielder next Saturday.