Gary Neville believes Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is "the best English midfield player by a street."

The 25-year-old has returned from a two-year spell filled with injuries to become a first-team regular for the Gunners over the past two months.

Wilshere's fitness has been a concern throughout his career, but Neville is adamant he should be the first choice in the midfield for England boss Gareth Southgate when he is in shape.

"He's the best English midfield player by a street," the Manchester United hero told Monday Night Football.

"I worked with all of the English midfield players for four years and he could play in any single team in this country and live in that team or any single team in Europe, he is that good.

"The problem with Jack Wilshere is his fitness and his injuries and his reliability. If you had him playing every week he is a wonderful, wonderful player. He has a great attitude, he trains well and he has got fantastic ability.

"He takes the ball on the half-turn and he's the only English central midfield player [like that]. Dele Alli yes and Ross Barkley yes, but I class them as being more forwards.

"I've worked with him and I've got no allegiance to Jack Wilshere or Arsenal Football Club and this is a fantastic player and talent, who is a must for England if he is fit and playing well."