England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

No logic to Theo choice

08 May 2006 - 16:58:26

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Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted he could not offer a logical explanation for his decision to include uncapped Arsenal youngster Theo Walcott in England's World Cup squad.

The 17-year-old is yet to make his debut for Arsenal following his January move from Southampton, but Eriksson opted to select him ahead of the Premiership's leading English goalscorer Darren Bent and the 16-times capped Jermain Defoe.

Asked how he made the decision, the Swede said: "Probably not too logically, sometimes you do it on feelings as well and I am excited about Theo Walcott.

"It is a gamble, of course it is a gamble I can't deny that but it is a nice one. He is a great talent. I have 23 players, why not take one gamble?"

Eriksson was much clearer about the thinking behind the inclusions of Tottenham's uncapped winger Aaron Lennon and Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing, who has just 29 minutes of senior international experience.

The pair's late surge into the squad meant there was no place for Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has been a regular in the England set-up for the past two seasons.

"Both Downing and Lennon are in great shape in this moment," the coach explained.

"Downing has a very good left foot, Lennon is a good crosser, he beats people.

"I think the players I have here are the best for the moment - that's why he (Wright-Phillips) is not on the list.

"Lennon is a very interesting player. I think during the last two to three months he has really started to play good football.

"Every time we went to see him, I had good reports during the last two-and-a-half months, so that's why. He's in very good shape - that's important."