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Arsenal's Theo Walcott hands England injury blow
ROY HODGSON has suffered his first setback ahead of England’s pivotal World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland at Wembley next month after Theo Walcott was ruled out of the double-header.
The Arsenal winger will undergo surgery in Germany today to repair slight damage to his posterior abdominal wall, the injury that sidelined him for the win over Stoke on Sunday.
England’s first-choice right flank has now been wrecked, with full-back Glen Johnson also ruled out of the games, which will decide whether Hodgson’s side qualify for the finals in Brazil as group winners, are forced into a play-off, or miss out altogether.
Walcott’s Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who could have deputised, is already out injured.
“Theo will be out for a few weeks,” said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
“He will have the surgery over in Germany and, because it’s so minor, we can begin his rehab immediately.
“We are pleased it’s being dealt with quickly and he shouldn’t miss too many Arsenal matches.”