• Premier League

Walcott to have surgery on abdomen

ESPN staff
September 24, 2013
Theo Walcott picked up the injury before the clash with Stoke © Getty Images
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Theo Walcott is set to have surgery on his abdomen on Wednesday and will be ruled out of action until after the international break.

The Arsenal winger missed the victory over Stoke at The Emirates after developing the problem, and will go to Germany to undergo an operation which will keep him on the sidelines until mid-October.

Walcott will miss England's final World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Montenegro at Wembley, and is out of Arsenal's League Cup clash against West Brom, the league game against Swansea and the Champions League tie against Napoli.

Manager Arsene Wenger said: "Theo will be out for a few weeks. He has developed some damage to his posterior abdominal wall. It's not a hernia, but it's a little structural problem in his abdomen.

"He will have the procedure in Germany on Wednesday and, because it's so minor, we can begin his rehab immediately. We are pleased it's being dealt with quickly and he shouldn't miss too many Arsenal matches. But he will miss the forthcoming international matches with England."

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