UK Edition
Theo Walcott poised to miss West Ham game as Everton forward targets injury return against former club Arsenal
Theo Walcott is losing his battle to be fit for Everton’s Premier League game against West Ham United with the rib injury he suffered before the international break.
But Walcott has not yet given up hope of returning in time to face his former club Arsenal at the Emirates a week on Sunday.
Walcott was forced out of Everton’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town after injuring a rib and could not train fully last week.
The 29-year-old, who has already started the season well and scored two goals, has begun running again but the West Ham clash is likely to come too soon.
Losing Walcott will be a blow to Everton manager Marco Silva, whose team remain unbeaten but have drawn three of their four Premier League games.
West Ham are still searching for their first Premier League point and will be boosted by the prospect of not having to face Walcott, who is likely to be replaced by Ademola Lookman.
Walcott will be keen to return in time for the trip to Arsenal, having suffered a 5-1 defeat at the Emirates when he went back with Everton last season.
He joined Everton for £20million after spending 12 years at Arsenal and making almost 400 appearances for the Gunners and scoring over 100 goals.
Despite the fact he was not picked in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad and has not represented his country since November 2016, Walcott has not given up on earning an international recall.
With Jamie Vardy retiring from England duty and Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford struggling to start games for Arsenal and Manchester United, Walcott still believes he can force his way back in.
Ashley Young was part of Southgate’s World Cup squad, despite being 32 when he travelled to Russia and having, at one stage, not played for England for four years.
Walcott has made 47 England appearances, scoring eight goals, and would love to reach his half century.