Walcott: 'I'm facing a fight to make the World Cup'

Theo Walcott has admitted he is facing an uphill battle to force his way into England’s World Cup plans.

Fabio Capello handed Walcott his big chance at Wembley and yet the Arsenal winger struggled to convince that he is worth a place in
England’s 23-man squad.

It has even drawn criticism from former England winger Chris Waddle that Walcott “does not understand the game" and “does not have a football brain.”

That seems remarkably harsh on a 20-year-old whose season has been wrecked by injury. He is only just coming back to full fitness and getting back into the Arsenal team.

But Capello clearly believes Walcott can still play a part in his World Cup plans, having been the hat trick-hero of England’s most memorable victory in their qualifying campaign.

Walcott, however, revealed that he has stopped watching videos of THAT night in Croatia 18 months ago and is determined to look to the future - and win a place in this summer’s squad.

Walcott said: “I’ve definitely got a lot of work to do, without a doubt. There’s a lot of competition, we want all our players back 100 per cent fit and I’m just finding my feet now.

“Hopefully I can play consistently for Arsenal, stay fit and have a good end to the season - that’s the most important thing.

“I feel as fit as anything now, I’m training well. I just need to put the training into games now. Fitness wise I feel fine.

“I’m just going to concentrate on Arsenal first, play consistently. It’s sort of pre-season – I’ve had seven games and that’s normally what you have in pre-season.

“It’s been up and down but I’m glad to be back fit. That’s the most important thing.”

But Walcott believes there is enough time to get back into Capello’s good books. MirrorFootball revealed on Wednesday how Capello had told Walcott one-to-one that he wanted him to play as a conventional right winger against Egypt.

Capello to give Walcott shot at World Cup place against Egypt  

Walcott’s performance, though, polarised opinion and has drawn widespread criticism. He started well, faded badly and now faces a race against time to rediscover his best form.

Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips have suddenly leapt ahead of Walcott, while Capello seems certain to take David Beckham in his
23-man party.

And yet the fascination with Walcott remains as he became a star after being picked for the 2006 World Cup finals even though he did not kick a ball.

Walcott also propelled himself into international stardom with his performance in Croatia but has been eager to play that down and now look to the future.

“For me, that Croatia game is in the past, I’m trying to concentrate on every game, trying to stay fit and give 110 per cent in every single game,” said Walcott. “I’m getting there and I’m definitely finding my feet now.

“But Croatia has gone now, it’s all about the present. I’m trying to play well for Arsenal and go on from there. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I watched the Croatia game - it’s that long ago.

“It does seem like a long time ago, all the injuries I’ve had. It’s been very frustrating so I’ve just put everything in my mind of trying to get back fit and not concentrate on the past.

“It’s fantastic to be back involved in the squad, see all the faces again, get back in the swing of things. It’s just nice to be back.

“It’s fantastic competition to be among these world class players - it’s a headache for the manager and you’d have to ask him who is going to be in the squad on the day.

“It’s healthy competition and you want to try to perform to try to start in every single game.

“It’s fantastic, just to be back involved with the team. He’s got the faith to start with me against Egypt and so I just have to train well and take it into games.”