Three-month absence for Theo
20 Nov 2008 - 08:15:07
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger does not expect Theo Walcott to return to action until mid-February after the former Southampton star sustained a shoulder injury while training with England.
The 19-year-old picked up the problem in Berlin on Tuesday as England prepared for the international friendly with Germany.
Wenger told French TV channel TF1: "Theo dislocated his shoulder during training. He will be out for at least three months."
England manager Fabio Capello had said on Tuesday: "We are all very disappointed but the important thing is for Theo to travel home and make a quick recovery."
Walcott fell awkwardly on his right shoulder and was taken to hospital to have the joint re-set.
The teenager recently suffered another shoulder injury in Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Stoke City.
He has scored 11 goals in 89 appearances for the Gunners since joining Wenger's side almost three years ago and scored a sublime hat-trick in England's World Cup qualifying victory in Croatia just over two months ago.