Arsenal injury news: Jack Wilshere completes 90 minutes for U21 side as first-team return nears

Arsenal have been handed a double injury boost after Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky stepped up their return from injury with their second appearance for the U21 side in their clash against the Swansea City reserves on Thursday night (14 April). The former completed the entire 90 minutes for the first time this season, while the latter played for 71 minutes. The Gunners second string side, however, failed to confirm their place at the top of the U21 Premier League division two table but will have another chance to secure automatic promotion to the top division when they face West Bromwich Albion U21's on Monday (18 April).

"Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky continued their comebacks but Arsenal's hopes of earning automatic promotion to Division One were dented by a 3-1 defeat at Swansea," a statement on Arsenal's official site read.

Wilshere and Rosicky have been out for the entirety of the campaign barring a 19 minute cameo for the latter during an FA Cup tie, when he sufffered a thigh injury that has kept him out since. The duo's return will give Arsene Wenger a major boost in their race to book a Champions League place after their title hopes were extinguished following a 3-3 draw against West Ham United last Saturday (9 April).

The north London club are currently in third place on the league table, 13 points behind leaders Leicester City and six points behind second placed Tottenham Hotspur, whom they still have a chance of catching up. But if they fail to win their remaining matches, they could be caught by the teams behind them, as Manchester City are just two points behind in fourth, while Manchester United are a further four points behind their neighbours.

The 24-year-old England international is keen to return to the first team before the end of the season and prove his fitness to Wenger and Roy Hodgson, who is keen to include the midfielder in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2016. Wilshere, however, will have his task cut out to break into the starting XI following the emergence of Mohamed Elneny, who has formed a great understanding with Francis Coquelin at the heart of the Gunners' midfield. Aaron Ramsey will also be ahead of him in the pecking order following his return from injury.

According to the Mirror, the English midfielder is likely to make an appearance for the U21's yet again on Monday (18 April) for their clash against West Brom and return to the senior team three days later when they face the Baggies in their rearranged Premier League fixture.