• World Cup

Injuries affected Theo - Capello

ESPNsoccernet staff
June 4, 2010
Theo Walcott suffers a painful one © Getty Images
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Fabio Capello admits it was a tough decision to leave Theo Walcott out of his World Cup squad but feels injuries have hampered the Arsenal winger.

Walcott scored a hat-trick for England during a World Cup qualifier against Croatia in September 2008, but he suffered a shoulder problem in training with England two months after that game.

He was beset by further injuries last season, failing to complete a full 90 minutes for his club until December, and he struggled to find any consistency following his return.

Despite that indifferent form, his exclusion from England's 23-man World Cup squad still came as something of a shock, but Capello feels the player did not warrant selection.

"It was a really hard decision for me because I know that Walcott was really important for me in qualification," he said, "but after the problem with his shoulder he was not the same player that we knew before the injury.

"I am sad about this and I hope that he will be with the team for the Euros."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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