Jack Wilshere says he won't change his playing style in order to avoid more injuries in the future.
The Arsenal midfielder made his first appearance of the season last weekend after recovering from a fractured ankle, and is hoping to get enough playing time in the last three games of the campaign to earn a spot in England's European Championship squad.
Wilshere is known for driving forward with the ball at his feet, which often provokes tackles and has led to several other long-term injury layoffs in his career.
But Wilshere insisted he can't alter his natural playing style.
"I don't think there is anything I can do differently," he told the Arsenal website. "All my injuries have been impact injuries and I have been a little bit unfortunate at times when I have maybe overrun the ball a little bit, so maybe I can work on dribbling with the ball closer to my foot.
"I'm not one of those players who is blessed with Theo Walcott's pace who can run behind you. When I'm on the ball, I have to get close to [the defender], which is going to cause him to attempt to tackle me or mistime it as we have seen in the past. That is part of my game."
The midfielder has sometimes been urged by pundits to give up the ball sooner in order to stop defenders from lunging in with tackles. And while he has tried doing so at times, he said it goes against his natural instincts on the pitch.
"When I was injured, I read a few things and I was thinking maybe they were right. Maybe I should pass it a little bit more or a little bit quicker, but as soon as I get back on the ball and there is an opportunity for me to run at someone, that is what I want to do. I don't think I can change," he said. "I have just got to train every day. I have never really had injuries with my muscles, or any problems like that. It is just impact injuries. Hopefully I can avoid them."
Wilshere came on as a late substitute in the 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Sunday and will likely be on the bench again for Saturday's home game against Norwich.
"I said after the game I need a good week of training, and I've got that. So hopefully I'll be in the squad and maybe I'll get some minutes," he said.