Arsenal injury news: Danny Welbeck will not return for Leicester clash as Jack Wilshere remains 'weeks' away

Wilshere and Cazorla remain "weeks" away from returning from long-term injuries

Danny Welbeck came through an under-21s game for Arsenal this week (Getty Images)

Danny Welbeck is unlikely to return to the Arsenal squad for this weekend’s crucial Premier League clash against table-toppers Leicester after Arsene Wenger revealed he has recovered from a long-term knee injury.

Welbeck has not played for Arsenal since last season’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea on 26 April, and after coming through an under-21s outing earlier in the week, the England striker is back to full fitness.

But despite Welbeck’s return to competitive action, Wenger was keen to stress that he will not rush the 25-year-old, and admitted his lack of match fitness will likely see him overlooked for this weekend’s clash at the Emirates despite being back to “full power in training”.

“I think he is very close,” said Wenger. “Fitness-wise he is there, it is just competition he misses. It is a bit early for him maybe but he is now back to full power in training. It is a big possibility [he could be involved against Hull next week].

“We gave him one or two days recovery after the under-21 game, but now he is back in full training. He has worked very hard and he is fit.”

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It means that Arsenal are unlikely to welcome back any of their injured first-team squad members this weekend, with both Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla still sidelined for “weeks” while Tomas Rosicky will not return until May after being ruled out for three months, meaning the Czech Republic midfielder may have played his last game for the club.