Manuel Pellegrini explains Jack Wilshere’s absence from West Ham win

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Jack Wilshere was missing from the West Ham United squad that collected their first win of the new Premier League season.

In comments reported by Football London, Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Jack Wilshere is not injured, but was left out of West Ham’s squad for their trip to Watford as he did not want to take a risk with the Englishman.

Wilshere’s nightmare first season at the London Stadium will not have come as a major surprise to many of the West Ham fans who deemed his signing to be a gamble that could prove to be inspired or, more probably, backfire. Unfortunately, it was the latter as he made just eight league appearances.

The 27-year-old has now enjoyed a decent run without sustaining an injury, and was involved in both of the opening two games of the new campaign. But fans would have feared the worst when the teams were announced at Vicarage Road on Saturday and the former Arsenal man was missing from the matchday squad.

However, Pellegrini has suggested that there is no problem and the midfielder is having his minutes managed to give him the best chance of putting his injury problems completely behind him.

“He’s not injured,” he said, as reported by Football London. “In this moment, Carlos Sanchez, Yarmolenko, Wilshere, players are coming off long injuries might not be able to play two games quickly. We have the cup on Tuesday, we need Jack 100 per cent fit and rested, same with Robert Snodgrass.

“He had a kick during the week but I choose these players for this game. Now we look to Newport.”

Wilshere may not be providing his doubters with further ammunition, but he still has to prove a point on the pitch as some Hammers fans may feel that it is not hugely surprising that Pellegrini’s men picked up their first win of the season in the first game in which Wilshere has not featured.

The £100,000-a-week star (wage reported by the Guardian) had struggled to make an impact in both of the games that he had played, so he will hoping to steal the show when he returns to the side, which could be on Tuesday judging by Pellegrini’s comments.