West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini admits he does not know how long Jack Wilshere will be sidelined for by his latest ankle injury.

England international Wilshere’s entire career has been dogged by injury problems and he only returned from a previous ankle issue at the start of December after three months on the sidelines.

The 26-year-old featured as a late substitute during his comeback against Newcastle, but he has subsequently missed the Hammers’ last two games due to a problem with his other ankle.

Pellegrini remains hopeful Wilshere’s latest setback is not too severe, but he is in the dark regarding when the former Bournemouth loanee will be able to return to action.

“Is it more serious than first thought? Maybe, because when he felt the pain it was in his ‘good’ ankle, not the ankle where he had the surgery,” Pellegrini told reporters.

“We hoped it was just a pain and that he could adjust for two or three days, but for different things it’s been longer than we expected… it’s difficult to know when he’ll be back.”

West Ham will head into Saturday’s Premier League clash against Fulham without Wilshere, but confidence is high within the squad following three successive victories that have seen the Hammers move up to 11th in the standings.

The east Londoners have not won four top-flight matches on the bounce since February 2014.

They are priced at 2.40 to emerge from Craven Cottage with all three points, while Fulham are available at 2.88 and the draw is on offer at 3.50.