Walcott included in U21 squad

Arsenal winger called upon by Pearce despite Wenger warning

Last updated: 2nd June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Walcott included in U21 squad

Walcott: Called upon by Pearce

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Theo Walcott has been included in the England Under 21 squad for this summer's European Championship despite the concerns of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Walcott, 20, has been at the centre of a club-versus-country row as he is also in the senior squad for World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra, with Wenger fearing his winger could suffer burnout.

His inclusion is seen as a victory for Under 21 coach Stuart Pearce, who has pushed for the inclusion of eligible players even if they have been promoted to Fabio Capello's seniors.

If Pearce's youngsters win their tournament in Sweden, Walcott will have just one week of rest before he is scheduled for pre-season training with his club.

Wenger is also aware that the last time Walcott went on international duty he returned to his club with a dislocated shoulder and was out for four months.

Walcott played a key role in England qualifying for a play-off tie to reach the finals before getting a call-up for the seniors and putting himself in the limelight with his hat-trick against Croatia in Zagreb.

Gabriel Agbonlahor has also featured for the seniors and he is going to Sweden with Pearce's youngsters, along with James Milner, Steven Taylor and Micah Richards.

Tottenham trio Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O'Hara and Aaron Lennon, however, are missing through injury.

Jack Rodwell and James Tomkins were included but Blackburn's Matt Derbyshire is injured.

Pearce said: "I have every confidence in this squad, we are really looking forward to competing with the best under-21 teams in Europe, and hopefully, doing our country proud with our performances. It should be a fantastic tournament."

England Under-21 squad for the European Championships in Sweden:

Joe Hart (Manchester City), Joe Lewis (Peterborough), Scott Loach (Watford); Martin Cranie (Portsmouth), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Andrew Taylor (Middlesbrough), Steven Taylor (Newcastle), James Tomkins (West Ham); Lee Cattermole (Wigan), Andrew Driver (Hearts) Craig Gardner (Aston Villa), Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough), James Milner (Aston Villa), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton), Mark Noble (West Ham), Jack Rodwell (Everton); Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Frazier Campbell (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).

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