Wilshere/Carroll slip further backwards

Hopes that either Jack Wilshere or Andy Carroll are in line for a  return to action have been knocked back.

Earlier predictions that both could be involved this weekend or next have been ruled out by a top club insider.

The Wilshere injury situation has been surrounded by a deafening silence since the player went for surgery with a six week deadline put on his return back in September.

That would have seen him back in action in time for the match against Spurs but ClaretandHugh has now learned that he will not back until after the next international break which starts after our trip to Huddersfield  on November 10.

Carroll is in precisely the same situation having not seen a second of action this campaign despite hopes that he would be back after the last round of international games.

We were told that the medics were being particularly careful with both of them given their long injury history and that the home match against against Manchester City was the best guess for any involvement by either of them.