Theo Walcott believes he will reap the benefits of David Beckham's involvement with the England squad at the World Cup.

Fabio Capello has made it clear Beckham will not be part of his official coaching team in South Africa, but Walcott thinks being able to ask advice of Beckham - particularly as he played in his own position on the right flank - will only prove helpful.

"David Beckham has been fantastic for me especially, but not just me, so many players," Walcott said.

"He gives you that extra boost. If you see someone who has won so many things, you get the best out of the players and you want to be part of that.

"Just having him around (at the World Cup), giving you advice, one of the best crossers of the ball, can only help.

"It's a shame his injuries mean he won't have a chance to play in a last World Cup and he is a big miss.

"But hopefully he is going to help the players by being around and boost the spirits of the players. Having him there can only help."

Walcott has already taken on board plenty of tips imparted to him by Beckham as he prepares for his second World Cup, providing he is named in the final 23.

He said: "The most important thing Becks says is just enjoy it, play with no fear, and if you are young and play with no fear, the best comes out of you.

"He has always also told me to deliver the ball into the space and, if there is no-one there, it is not your problem because someone should get on the end of it."

Capello will trim his squad down on Tuesday but Walcott is determined to try and focus on the present and Sunday's game with Japan in Graz.

He said: "The most important thing is to train well, try to play well on Sunday (against Japan) and not look too far ahead.

"If I look too far ahead, I might be disappointed at the end of it or something could happen in the Japan game."

If he does go to South Africa, Walcott believes he will have benefited from being a surprise selection for the 2006 squad and also playing in last summer's European Championships for the Under-21s.

He said: "The World Cup feels like it was just the other week. I was still developing at 17 when I got into a World Cup squad which was a lot of pressure.

"I hadn't even played in the Premier League at that point so I didn't expect it at all.

"It feels different this time. With getting into the 30, I feel I deserve to be here. I was part of the qualifying programme and I'm playing regularly in the league.

"But the disappointments of last time, I know how to learn from that, and the pressures the lads have to deal with on and off the pitch.

"It is quite hard and demanding on yourself, not just your body but mentally as well."

Walcott added: "I also experienced playing in an Under-21 tournament last year so that is only going to help me hopefully.

"That was my first experience of tournament football and actually playing and it doesn't matter what the age group is. The experience of finals is invaluable.

"We played against Germany, Sweden and Spain in front of big crowds. Just having that experience and getting to a final will stand me in good stead."

One player whose hopes of making the final 23 suffered was Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock.

The former Liverpool and Blackburn full-back is hoping to edge out Leighton Baines as Ashley Cole's understudy at left-back but he limped out of training with a twisted ankle.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP