The news means Wilshere will definitely sit out next month's final qualifier with Montenegro and even in a best-case scenario he would be pushing it to play in a November play-off, should England need one, or the friendly that will be scheduled instead.

Before the club season reaches its climax in May, the only other international date is February 29, when it is envisaged England will face Holland in a Wembley friendly that was postponed last month due to the London riots.

"I can confirm I will be out for around 2-3 months," Wilshere said on Twitter.

"I am working hard in the gym to stay fit and I am gutted but I will be back stronger."

Whilst Wilshere need have no fears about his place in Fabio Capello's plans for Poland and Ukraine next summer, it does create something of a problem for the England coach.

For a start, with Gareth Barry and Scott Parker both one yellow card away from a suspension that would rule them out of the Montenegro encounter, on which England's qualification will rest no matter what happens against Wales this week, Capello must decide whether he should risk them at Wembley.

It has the potential to offer a recall to Frank Lampard, just as it seemed the 33-year-old was in the final throes of his international career.

Wilshere's injury also denies him vital experience on the international stage, which is limited to just five caps at present.