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Wenger still unsure over Walcott fitness

Theo Walcott is fighting to be fit for the final game of the season © PA Photos

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Arsene Wenger will leave it late before deciding whether Theo Walcott has recovered from a hamstring injury sufficiently to play a part in Arsenal's final game of the season.

Arsenal need to beat West Brom in their last Premier League encounter of the campaign to be assured of Champions League football next season, with Walcott - who was in form before suffering an injury against Chelsea last month - potentially able to help the side achieve that aim.

The winger has been in a race against time to return before the end of the season, but Wenger revealed it still remains doubtful whether he will play any part in the weekend's game.

England manager Roy Hodgson will likely be watching the match with interest, hoping for encouraging evidence of Walcott's fitness before he selects his 23-man squad for the European Championships on May 16.

"He will have a test [on his hamstring]," Wenger said. "I don't know yet if he will be included in the squad or not. It is possible."

Right-back Bacary Sagna is the club's major absentee, after he suffered a broken leg in the club's last game against Norwich. Wenger revealed the France international is set to have the injury operated on this week, and hopes he will recover in time to return shortly after the start of next season.

"He will have surgery [on Thursday]," he said. "It is a straight broken fibula. We expect him to be out for a few months but let's see how surgery goes tonight."

As for the West Brom game, he added: "We have little doubts about Park [Chu-Young], [Sebastien] Squillaci and [Andre] Santos but they should all be ready."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.