'Wilshere would be worth the risk'

Wilshere, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, was not named in the 23-man squad that was released on Wednesday. 

"Playing with him first hand and seeing the ability that he possesses, I can't help but feel that England would need that," Francis said.

"They might have seen it as a risk but, for me, you have to take risks in international football.

"To be in that hole picking the ball up and looking to unlock defences at that level, there is nobody better really when they're fully fit than Jack Wilshere.

"You have to look at players and how much they've played over the season but I think Jack proved, especially at the back end of the season and into 2018, that he can have a really good run of games."