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.