Who will be England's new Theo Walcott?

Published 14:16 30/01/10

Can Theo Walcott be the new Theo Walcott? Can Joe Hart spring from being a senior nobody to No1? Will Kieron Gibbs become a wildcard at left back?

Fabio Capello has his Plan A well established and drilled. Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey, Rooney and co.

But as the Premier League season wears on, injuries will take their toll, begging the question can any young fresh faced English stars become England's wildcard of the South African World Cup?

Capello has certainly been asking around about the unknown and the obscure. Heard much about Sunderland's teenage midfield talent Jordan Henderson for instance?

He's not even capped at U21 level yet, but his all-action energy has caught Capello's eye to the extent that he asked team mate Darren Bent for a run down on his credentials: size, power attitude, when England played Brazil in November.

So Capello clearly has one eye on the outsiders, either for an improbable late call up, or for the future.

Just like Sven Goran Eriksson before the last World Cup, who caused one of the greatest call-up shocks in history by naming 17-year-old Theo Walcott in his squad, despite having no top flight experience.

Who are the candidates for Plan B? Well strangely Walcott himself is looking to sneak back into contention and become the new Walcott four years after his World Cup holiday in Germany.

He's had a quiet start to the season and didn't appear for Arsenal until October as he recovered from injury and playing for the U21s in Sweden last summer.

Speedster Walcott made his debut aged 17 and 74 days against Hungary 2006, and his hat-trick against Croatia in Zagreb is the highlight of his eight caps. Such inexperience qualifies him as a rookie in England terms, but one that could play a major role in the summer.

Capello is still concerned about his goalkeeping options, and that leaves one man with just 45 minutes of international experience against Trinidad and Tobago under his gloves ready to be the next potential surprise contender.

Joe Hart, 22, has excelled on loan at Birmingham this season, winning an assured reputation that blossomed at U21 level. His record of clean sheets around Christmas and New Year was astounding.

Surely he will be a cert for the full squad come the summer, despite Capello's reservations about his decision making and positional sense. There is no question mark over his shot stopping and athletic qualities, and it wouldn't be a bad shout to give him a full game in the friendly against Egypt at Wembley in March to quell the nerves he showed on his international debut.

His stock is enhanced by David James' injury troubles - he's only played half of Portsmouth's games this season - and the mediocre form of Robert Green and Ben Foster.

Capello will also have noted the form of two of lads certain to have a senior level future. Whether Everton's classy youngster Jack Rodwell will come through as a centre half or midfielder remains to be seen, but he is on the radar.

And Arsenal left back Kieron Gibbs impressed the England hierarchy with his class and maturity in Sweden last summer as he helped England to the U21 Euro Championship final.

Gibbs was highlighted by U21 boss Stuart Pearce as one for the future and he has Champions' League experience too.

Does Micah Richards, improving this season at Manchester City could as a potential wildcard after his stalled England career?

Last summer Capello highlighted Aston Villa trio of Ashley Young, James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor, as well as uncapped Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone as potential recruits.

Milner has surely booked his place, while the others will be keeping their fingers crossed that Capello will take a gamble like Sven.

Which wildcards would YOU take to the World Cup? Let us know by leaving a comment below...

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