Hope for Chelsea man as Arsenal ace ruled out of Ukraine clash

Theo Walcott has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. Photo credit: Tony Marshall/EMPICS

Monday, September 10, 2012
1:44 PM

England winger Theo Walcott has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley.

The Arsenal man is suffering from an illness and has returned to his club. Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge missed training this morning due to stomach cramps but the England medical team remain hopeful he will be fit for the Group H encounter.

With his options now looking thin - Chelsea centre-half John Terry also withdrew yesterday - England coach Roy Hodgson added three players to his squad today in the form of Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling, Tottenham’s Jake Livermore and Southampton’s Adam Lallana.

Hodgson admitted Walcott was too poorly to be considered for tomorrow night’s match but is more hopeful over Sturridge’s fitness.

“Theo has picked up some sort of virus,” he said. “He was quite violently ill last night.

“Daniel trained yesterday with stomach cramps but today woke up with the same stomach cramps, and the doctor advised us to keep him out of training and see how things are. The doctor is quite confident he will be okay, though.

“I can only hope nothing is going round the squad. That was why we were quite keen to get Theo home as soon as possible and also keep Daniel away from the squad.

“I have to hope it’s just an isolated case with the two players.”