Monday 16 May 2016 16:31, UK
Former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith feels Theo Walcott can have no complaints after being left out of Roy Hodgson’s provisional 26-man squad for Euro 2016.
The Gunners forward has struggled for form since returning from a calf injury in December, scoring just five goals in 28 appearances during that period.
Walcott himself did not seem surprised to miss out, tweeting: "I am of course disappointed not to make the squad, but I have spoken with Roy and respect his decision."
Smith backed the decision not to include Walcott in the squad but admits the inclusion of Newcastle winger Andros Townsend was a little surprising.
"He would have been expecting it, I think. He knows he hasn't produced the form for Arsenal since coming back from injury that he would need to, given the competition for that place," Smith said of Walcott on Sky Sports Now.
"Having said that, it was there to go for because Townsend has come from left field a little bit.
"Walcott didn't take part yesterday [in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa] because of a slight hamstring injury. He would have been upset but would have accepted it. "
Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph also made the initial squad, despite an indifferent campaign that saw him score twice in 27 appearances for City in all competitions.
Former England player and England U21 coach Stuart Pearce, also a guest on Sky Sports Now, admitted he had not expected Delph to be included.
"It surprised me. I don't think he has had a real impact at the back end of the season," said Pearce.
"But Roy likes him and we have spoken about that loyalty, you build up a credit with the manager.
"I think Delph being in the 26 is on credit, not on the immediate couple of months to finish the season."
One player whose inclusion was expected is Premier League winner Danny Drinkwater.
"It's deserved. When you go into major tournaments, you need players who are on form," Danny Higginbotham said on the show.
"There haven't been many better midfielders in the Premier League this season. He has shown what he is capable of.
"He can get forward, we saw with the goal he scored yesterday [in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea], but more importantly he looks after that defence really well.
"If England are going to be more attack-minded and If you have that option of him or Eric Dier, obviously Dier will be the one that is going to play but it's a great option to have.
"It's a very good inclusion if he remains in the squad."
