Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he rushed Jack Wilshere back too soon – but will take no more chances with the fitness of the England midfielder as the Gunners look to cement a top-four finish.

Wilshere made his first appearance since the start of March when he played an hour of the 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over Norwich at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, but lacked his usual dynamic drive at the heartbeat of the team.

The 21-year-old’s recovery from any injury lay-off, the latest a minor ankle problem, is always carefully monitored given he spent the whole of the 2011/2012 campaign on the sidelines.

Wenger insists he will not gamble on Wilshere’s fitness again as Arsenal look to continue their winning streak at home to Everton.

“I rushed Jack back a bit. He was not completely ready,” Wenger said.

“How careful have I to be? To listen well to the medical advice and that is what I have to do, use him when everything is all right and listen to him as well, how he feels.

“Jack has been out for six weeks, so maybe it was a bit too rushed, what I did.

“I will get advice from the medical department and how he feels as well and as well use my experience and the fact I know him very well.”

Wilshere, accepts he probably needs a bit more time to get back to his best.

“I know it was only six weeks, but you still lose your match sharpness and it takes a few games to come,” Wilshere said.

“It was frustrating, because I was flying just before I got injured in March. I felt good, confident, and then picked up another injury.”

As well as deciding how best to utilise Wilshere against the Toffees – who could re-ignite their own top-four ambitions with victory tomorrow – Wenger also has to look at whether centre-back Per Mertesacker will return straight into the side after his suspension or if captain Thomas Vermaelen retains his place.