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Walcott ruled out of Poland fixture

Theo Walcott receives attention after being injured © Getty Images

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The Football Association has confirmed that forward Theo Walcott has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifier against Poland with a chest injury.

Walcott was forced off after just five minutes against San Marino on Friday evening, following a painful collision with opposition goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini. It was immediately feared that the Arsenal winger had suffered broken ribs, as he was taken to hospital for assessment.

Following medical evaluations, the 23-year-old has now been ruled out of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier - and will return to his club for treatment.

"Theo Walcott has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup qualifier with Poland on Tuesday with a chest injury," an FA statement read. "Following scan results [on Sunday he] will return to his club for further treatment."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger now faces an anxious wait to see if Walcott will be fit for his side's next fixture, against Norwich next Saturday.

After Friday's match, a comfortable 5-0 win, England boss Hodgson nevertheless fumed over the challenge that injured Walcott.

"It was a very bad challenge," Hodgson told ITV. "He is in hospital and will stay in hospital overnight. He is having scans and tests, and we can only hope it is not too bad. It was it was a very poor challenge and really we should have been 1-0 up after two or three minutes from a penalty.

"I think if I were to describe it was reckless I would be being kind. It was a very fierce challenge. I think the goalkeeper, although I don't believe for one minute there was any malice in it when he went for the ball, irrespective of that it was a very bad challenge and it's put Walcott in hospital we have to wait now and find out the extent of his injury.

"And really and truly when your goalkeeper does that I think you are very lucky to a) have him still on the field, and b) not have a penalty given against him.

"Theo will now be in hospital overnight. It's a chest injury, and obviously didn't look too good but until such time as they've x-rayed it and scanned it we really don't know."

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