WORLD CUP 2010: England to fly to South Africa as Theo Walcott faces up to snub

02 June 2010 16:50
England will jet out to South Africa tonight as Theo Walcott is left at home to absorb his World Cup nightmare. [LNB]Fabio Capello's 23-man squad are due to fly to Johannesburg at 9pm as they ramp up preparations for the finals. [LNB] The England party - minus Walcott after his shock omission from the final squad - will touch down on Thursday morning after an 11-and-a-half hour flight from Heathrow. [LNB] Ready to roll: England's players land in South Africa on Thursday morning[LNB]        HAVE YOUR SAY...     Has Fabio Capello picked the right 23 for the World Cup? Theo Walcott is the most surprising name missing from Fabio Capello's World Cup squad. But there were big decisions too in leaving out Darren Bent, Scott Parker and others. Is the England boss taking the right 23 to South Africa? Who would you have on the plane? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK They will then continue their journey to their World Cup base at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg. [LNB]Walcott was left out of England's squad after failing to follow orders from Capello to stay tight to the touchline in the friendly wins over Mexico and Japan. [LNB]The Arsenal winger was regarded as a certainty for the finals but Capello instead opted to plump for Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips.[LNB]Walcott said: 'He (Capello) said he was sorry but I hadn't made the squad and I wouldn't be going to the World Cup.[LNB]'I wanted to ask him 'why' but I didn't get the chance. He said I would be a big part of his plans for the European Championships in 2012 and that was it, really.[LNB]'It's hard for me to take just like it's hard for everyone who missed out. It's out of my control. There's nothing I can do about it now.[LNB]'At the last World Cup I was in the squad but I didn't get the chance to appear at all. This time, I thought I'd play a proper part. I thought I deserved my place. There's no point me sulking about it. I've just got to get on with it.[LNB]'I am very disappointed not to be included in the squad but completely respect Mr Capello's decision. I would like to wish the team the best of luck and hope they have a really successful tournament.'[LNB] Warm welcome: England will be staying at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus[LNB] Meanwhile, Capello has been told to pick David James as his No 1 goalkeeper as he weighs up who to start with in goal against the United States in 10 days time. [LNB]Former England star David Seaman, who started for England at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, believes the Portsmouth veteran should be picked ahead of rivals Robert Green and Joe Hart. [LNB]He said: 'I have absolutely no doubt or hesitation in saying David should play. For me he's the No 1. [LNB]'I think it's a little too early for Rob Green who doesn't have a lot of experience. As we saw with Scott  Carson against Croatia that time if you don't have experience and you make a mistake in the first five minutes it really affects you.[LNB] Race for the gloves: England goalkeepers David James (left) and Robert Green[LNB] 'I have no worries about Rob's ability, only his experience. You can't buy experience and David has loads of it. [LNB]'Unlike many international goalkeepers who don't have a lot to do at club level David had a busy season with Portsmouth. He's ready.' [LNB]England have nine days of training in South Africa before they face the United States in their opening Group C match in Rustenburg on June 12. [LNB]The training HQ is eight miles from the the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng. Capello was heavily involved in the rebuilding of the multi-million pound training base.[LNB] Rustenburg is 1500m above sea level and England's stars have undergone specialist altitude training to cope with the conditions.[LNB] Rough justice! Theo Walcott axed from World Cup squad after failing to follow orders Defoe reveals Capello's No 2 warned him of 'bad news' in prank phone callTHE LIST: Sportsmail's top 50 World Cup icons, Nos 30-21Complete lowdown on all 32 squads in the frame for South Africa[LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail