Walcott backs stricken England pair to recover

Theo Walcott was not overly concerned by the absences from training yesterday morning of Daniel Sturridge and Jack Wilshere ahead of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

Sturridge was carrying a thigh injury during Liverpool’s victory over Manchester United and has been given extra time to get back to full fitness.

Wilshere went off in the first half of Arsenal’s win against Tottenham at the weekend with stomach cramps and he has also been afforded more time to try to recover.