WALCOTT OUT AS CAPELLO SWINGS THE AXE

Strong rumours out of Wembley today suggest that Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will not be making England's 23-man squad for the World Cup Finals.

The youngster has been a fixture of Fabio Capello's team since the Italian took charge of the national side and repaid his manager's faith with a magnificent hat-trick against against Croatia in Zagreb during the qualification stages.

However that glowing performance has faded over time and his inability to command a regular spot for his club appears to have seriously shaken his confidence and his form for England has perhaps made the decision to leave him off the plane somewhat justified.

Manchester City midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips seems set to take his place on the plane whilst his teammate Adam Johnson appears to have lost out to Chelsea's Joe Cole in the battle for the left midfield berth.

Others expected to be excluded from the squad are Sunderland striker Darren Bent and Everton left-back Leighton Baines who has been suggested to have suffered from home sickness.

News is yet to be confirmed over Gareth Barry, the only man to play in every qualifier for England, who has been suffering with injury over the past couple of weeks.