Walcott could start up front for England as Hodgson confirms Welbeck is OUT of Brazil clash



Roy Hodgson hinted that he may start Theo Walcott up front against Brazil as the England manager confirmed Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck will play no part in tomorrow's game at the refitted Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.



Welbeck has been battling a knee problem but it had been hoped he would be fit enough to at least take a place on the bench tomorrow after England lost Daniel Sturridge to injury against Ireland on Saturday.

However, Hodgson confirmed today the Manchester United striker will not be ready.

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Prime position: Theo Walcott (left) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stand in front of Christ The Redeemer

'It's unfortunate,' he said.

'We were rather hoping the injury that kept him out of the game against Ireland would heal itself or he would recover from it but unfortunately that's not the case and we just have the players who stepped off the plane.

'Fortunately they are all fit and ready to go.'

Hodgson would not reveal who he planned to start up front in the absence of Sturridge and Welbeck, but admitted Walcott could lead the line, as he has done for Arsenal a number of times this season.

Hodgson added: 'Theo Walcott could play as centre forward tomorrow as we know he can do.'



Sturridge has joined Andy Carroll, Tom Cleverley and Kyle Walker in pulling out of the squad, and Hodgson would not have much room for manoeuvre if he wanted to make changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Ireland at Wembley.

Fun in the sun: Danny Welbeck (left) and Wayne Rooney (right) pose to the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro

'We wouldn't have minded one or two more but we're only allowed to make six substitutions so we'll have the requisite number of players on the bench to do that,' he said.

'It does mean more players are going to have to take part in the game and maybe it will be a little bit harder for some of those starting as they may have to stay on for a bit longer than they might otherwise have done.

Sightseeing: Rooney takes pictures of The Redeemer on his phone

'Our possibilities for change are not that numerous to be perfectly honest. In defence we have Joleon Lescott and Leighton Baines who didn't start the other night, in midfield we have young Jack Rodwell who stepped in at the last minute and we've also got Jermain Defoe and James Milner.

'We are limited in that respect but it's good in the respect that we want players to play for longer periods rather than making substitutions every two minutes.'

Say cheese: Jermain Defoe poses for a photograph ahead of the match against Brazil