Pearce wins Walcott battle

THEO WALCOTT has been included in the England U21 squad for this summer’s European Championship despite the concerns of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Walcott, 20, has been at the centre of a club-versus-country row as he is also in the senior squad for World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra, with Wenger fearing his winger suffering burnout.

His inclusion is seen as a victory for U-21 coach Stuart Pearce, who has pushed for the inclusion of eligible players even if they have been promoted to Fabio Capello’s seniors.

If Pearce’s youngsters win their tournament in Sweden, Walcott will have just one week of rest before he is scheduled for pre-season training with his club.

Wenger is also aware that the last time Walcott went on international duty he returned to his club with a dislocated shoulder and was out for four months.

Meanwhile Cheltenham have confirmed promising youngster Jamie Edge is set to join Arsenal after an undisclosed agreement was reached between the two clubs.

The 15-year-old midfielder, who has progressed through the Robins’ youth system, has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time and recently returned from an U-16 tournament in Italy where he represented the Gunners against some of Europe’s elite.