Walcott starts for England

Theo Walcott has been handed his first England start today as Fabio Capello’s side began their World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona.

Walcott had previously made only two substitute appearances – against Hungary in May 2006 and against Trinidad & Tobago in June – but Capello has given the 19-year-old a chance to impress against the European minnows.

Rio Ferdinand’s back injury means that Joleon Lescott partners John Terry at centre-half, while Glen Johnson replaces Wes Brown on the right of defence in another change from the side that drew against the Czech Republic last time out.

Stewart Downing is selected on the left wing, with David Beckham not in the starting line-up and Steven Gerrard absent injured for the clash against the country ranked 186th in the world.