Theo Walcott’s 2014 FIFA World Cup injury blow saddens Roy Hodgson

London:  England manager Roy Hodgson spoke of his disappointment on Tuesday after Arsenal forward Theo Walcott was ruled out of this year’s World Cup with a serious knee injury.

Walcott, 24, damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Arsenal’s FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, with his club announcing on Monday he will be unavailable for around six months.

As well as missing the rest of the season, it means Walcott has also been ruled out of the World Cup in Brazil, which begins in June, barring an extraordinary recovery.

It is the latest chapter in a story of World Cup misery for Walcott, who was called up for the 2006 tournament at the age of 17 but did not play and was then left out for the 2010 tournament by coach Fabio Capello.

“I spoke with Theo and just wanted to express my disappointment to him,” current England boss Hodgson told www.TheFA.com on Tuesday.

“It is a blow for him personally of course, and for both Arsenal and England.

“We had quite a lengthy conversation and it is such a shame that we have lost a player of his calibre for the World Cup, he has been incredibly unfortunate and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

However, Hodgson said Walcott had the mentality not to let this injury define his career. “Having worked with him for two years as England manager I know the character he has, and I know he will come back even stronger from this setback.”…

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