By DPA,
London : England’s preparations for a friendly against Germany in Berlin were dealt another blow when Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was ruled out because of a dislocated shoulder.
The 19-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in England’s World Cup qualifying win in Croatia, suffered the injury in training in Berlin.
He was taken to hospital, where the shoulder was put back into place, but Walcott is now set to fly home.
“Our priority is Theo and making him as comfortable as possible before he returns home,” England manager Fabio Capello said late Tuesday on the eve of the friendly. “We are all very disappointed, but the important thing is for Theo to travel home and make a quick recovery.”
Walcott’s injury is the latest in a long line for Capello, who will be without several first-team players against the Germans.
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Wes Brown, Emile Heskey and Joe Hart will all miss the game because of injuries.