McClaren backs Theo to fight for place

14 April 2012

England manager Steve McClaren feels Theo Walcott does have a future at international level but wants him to develop at under-21 level.

Arsenal striker Walcott, 17, did not feature in the World Cup in Germany this summer after his surprise inclusion by former manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. McClaren has not picked Walcott - who is yet to play in the Premiership - in his first squad and has left him with the under-21s.

McClaren told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "Theo Walcott is a very good player, he has a bright future and a future playing for England. But what he needs now is that experience he needs to play regularly at this level."

He added: "We will give him that opportunity at under-21 level and hopefully he will break through and we will see him at senior level again."

McClaren, whose first major task is to qualify for Euro 2008, has admitted England need to be more versatile in their approach.

Predecessor Eriksson was criticised for not appearing to have a preferred system or enough back-up plans when the World Cup started.

McClaren added: "There are many goals we need to achieve and the main one is qualifying for Euro 2008 and getting back in that arena and doing better than we did in the last three (tournaments).

"Hopefully we will qualify for Euro 2008 and we plan for the next two years. When we qualify we hope to have two or three systems in place that are flexible and offer different things."

McClaren is relishing his new role, which begins with a friendly against Greece on Wednesday.

He added: "I have confidence in my ability. I have got experience, I have been through the fire a bit and I feel can cope with anything at this level."

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