WALCOTT OUT
AKACHEZE NA BEIBE WAKE SASA
Arsenal's
Theo Walcott will not be going to the World Cup in South Africa after England manager Fabio Capello omitted the winger from his final 23-man squad.
GettyImagesTheo Walcott failed to impress in the friendlies
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Walcott scored a memorable hat-trick as England secured a crucial 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory against Croatia in Zagreb, but that was back in September 2008 and he has struggled for form since.
Sunderland striker
Darren Bent, Tottenham duo
Michael Dawson and
Tom Huddlestone, Manchester City winger
Adam Johnson, Everton defender
Leighton Baines and West Ham 's
Scott Parker are also believed to have missed out.
Shoulder, back, knee and hamstring problems restricted Walcott to just 15 starting appearances for Arsenal this term, but he was recalled to the England squad in March and looked to be back in Capello's plans.
Walcott first hit the headlines four years ago when he was included in Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad despite never having played a Premier League game.
"I am very disappointed not to be included but completely respect Mr Capello's decision. I would like to wish team best of luck," Walcott said.
Bent finished the season as the second highest scoring English striker in the Premier League, behind
Wayne Rooney, but has failed to impress on the international stage during his limited opportunities.
At left-back, Capello has surprisingly opted for Aston Villa's
Stephen Warnock to provide cover for
Ashley Cole, ahead of Baines. Warnock has played just eight minutes for England, during a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in 2008, while Baines featured against Egypt in March and against Mexico at Wembley.
Man City winger Johnson made a late run for selection following his January transfer to Eastlands from Championship side Middlesbrough, but only featured for five minutes against Mexico and Capello appears to have opted for experience in
Joe Cole.
Dawson and Parker were both called up for England World Cup warm-up matches but didn't get any playing time. Huddlestone was called up as cover for holding midfielder
Gareth Barry, who looks set to take his place in the final 23 even though he will be sidelined for the opening match against the USA, and is surplus to requirements.
Capello will contact each of the players who are set to miss out by telephone ahead of the official announcement of the squad at 16.00 BST.