Wilshere close to training

Jack Wilshere: A succession of injury problems have derailed the midfielder's career

Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna will be close to returning to training after the international break, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

England midfielder Wilshere has not played a competitive game for the Gunners first team since May 2011 after a succession of injuries which have derailed his career.

Full-back Sagna, meanwhile, suffered his second broken leg of last season in May 2012 and the Frenchman was ruled out of Euro 2012 as a result.

But Wenger hopes the pair will both be back in training in mid-September after the World Cup qualifiers.

The Arsenal boss said at a press conference ahead of Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool: "After the international break they should not be too far away from training."

The Gunners will be boosted for their game at Anfield by the return of centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who has not played this season due to a calf injury.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is to undergo a fitness test on Thursday to assess the rib complaint which saw him miss last weekend's 0-0 draw at Stoke City.