Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury and is set for a further spell on the sidelines.

It had been hoped the Gunners star, who has not played for the first-team all season, would be back in action early in February but he aggravated the injury at the club’s training ground on Thursday and there are now fears he could be missing for another six weeks.

The news is another huge blow to manager Arsene Wenger as he battles a lengthening injury list, and there will also be concerns among the England camp that Wilshere will now be in danger of missing Euro 2012 this summer.

Wenger has refused to put a date on Wilshere's return but has confirmed the 20-year-old could be missing for a while longer yet.

The Frenchman, whose side are five points off fourth place, said: "He has had a little setback. He is seeing a specialist.

"I cannot say how long he will be out for because I will be long. He felt some pain so he had to stop."