Walcott steps back to U21s

Theo Walcott is poised to make his first appearance for the England U21 side, barely seven weeks after being part of the senior squad for the World Cup finals.

Seventeen-year-old Walcott became England’s youngest player at 17 years and 75 days when he came on as a substitute against Hungary at Old Trafford in May.

The Arsenal forward was the shock inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s squad for Germany, given the fitness doubts surrounding Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.

Steve McClaren believes Walcott will reap the benefits of a run-out for the U21s in the August 15 European Championship qualifier with Moldova at Portman Road rather than be part of the full squad to face Greece at Old Trafford 24 hours later.

Liverpool keeper Scott Carson, also part of the World Cup party of 23, and Charlton striker Darren Bent, who was among the five stand-by players, have been included by U21 coach Peter Taylor.

McClaren said: “I wanted Darren, Scott and Theo to have the chance to play some competitive U21 football.”