Walcott out of trip to Poland

Theo Walcott has been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifier in Poland on Tuesday after sustaining a chest injury in the 5-0 win at home to San Marino, the FA announced yesterday.

The Arsenal winger had to be substituted in the 10th minute of Friday’s game after a spectacular collision with visiting goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini. He was later taken to hospital.

“Theo Walcott has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup qualifier with Poland on Tuesday with a chest injury,” read a statement published on the FA website.

“The Arsenal forward was taken to hospital following a collision with the San Marino goalkeeper on Friday night, he was monitored overnight as a precaution and following scan results today will return to his club for further treat-ment.”

Simoncini played the ball before colliding with Walcott on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area, but England manager Roy Hodgson strongly criticised the chal-lenge and said the visitors’ goalkeeper should have been sent off.

“If I was describing it as reckless, I would be being kind... it was a very fierce challenge,” he said.

“I don’t think there was any malice but it was a very bad challenge. They were lucky it wasn’t a penalty and he was lucky he wasn’t sent off.”