Jack Wilshere out of England Squad vs. Netherlands with Knee Injury

Jack Wilshere will reportedly miss England's friendly against the Netherlands on Friday after picking up a knee injury during a training session.

Arsenal playmaker Wilshere did not travel with the Three Lions squad on Thursday, per Sami Mokbel and Joe Strange of MailOnline. Simon Peach of the Press Association reported the injury doesn't seem "too serious."

Mokbel and Strange noted how the England team was pictured travelling from Birmingham airport on Thursday, with Wilshere missing out.

Henry Winter of The Times specified the nature of the problem, while also noting the impact Wilshere's absence will have on the squad:

Missing out on a vital warm-up before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is an obvious blow to Wilshere's chances of being involved this June. The classy Arsenal No. 10 has only recently played his way back into the international fold after an absence of nearly two years.

Wilshere hasn't suited up for his country since UEFA Euro 2016. Yet he has steadily rebuilt his standing at club level by impressing for the Gunners this season.

Specifically, the 26-year-old has turned heads in an advanced role in the UEFA Europa League. Wilshere has helped himself to a pair of goals and three assists in European and Premier League action.

More than his output, Wilshere is combining well with fellow technicians Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey.

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Injuries remain an issue, though, for a player who has missed lots of time since the 2011 pre-season.

Missing games and struggles for consistency led to Wilshere being loaned to Bournemouth for the 2016/17 campaign. The player has said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told him he could leave last summer, per BBC Sport.

Wilshere's contract expires in 2018, with the Gunners wanting him to reduce his weekly wage by £20,000, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror. Cross also noted how Arsenal want incentives in any new contract based on appearances.

One more injury for Wilshere only strengthens the Gunners' position at the negotiating table. It's also a reminder of why this terrific talent has so far been unfulfilled at both club and international level.