Gerrard defends Walcott call-up

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has taken time out from preparing for the FA Cup final to insist that England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson “isn’t crazy” to have picked 17-year-old Theo Walcott for the World Cup.

Gerrard claims Walcott could be “England’s ace in the pack” but admits he was surprised at some of the names when the party for Germany was announced this week.