Source: FOOTYMAD
Walcott's silver lining from World Cup absence
Theo Walcott, the Arsenal winger, has described missing out on England's World Cup squad as his biggest disappointment in football but is likely to be given the chance to show his international credentials next week. Walcott is expected to return to the senior Three Lions squad this week for the friendly against Hungary, as coach Fabio Capello turns his attention to youth ahead of the 2012 European Championship qualifiers. Despite his obvious frustration at not going to South Africa, there could be a silver lining for the youngster - not only was he not tainted by the poor showing during the tournament, but he has been able to focus on gaining full fitness ahead of the new season. "I was very disappointed not to have made it, but now for the first time in a long time, I have been able to have a rest and a proper pre-season," he told Arsenal's official website. "The full pre-season will definitely help. It was an on-off season last season and it's difficult to come back from that. I would just get back and I'd get another injury. "I was in double figures last season with injuries. Maybe last year I was thinking about it too much and I was being a bit too timid in games because I was thinking about injury." Walcott was told he was not going to South Africa when Capello rang him while he was playing golf. "He just said 'I'm sorry. I'm not going to bring you to South Africa, but I'll see you in 2012 for the Euros'," added Walcott. "I didn't know what to say at all. He said 'have a good break and good luck, I'll see you soon'. I wished him all the best. There are always disappointments in football, this was my biggest one yet. "I will always respect the manager's decision. If the boss at Arsenal leaves me out of a game, I am always disappointed and I show that. You can't be happy when you are not there."
