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Arsenal forward Theo Walcott spurred on by competition for England places

Theo Walcott: Desperate for a piece of the action in Italy on Tuesday
Image: Theo Walcott: Desperate for a piece of the action in Italy on Tuesday

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott says the ongoing battles to be selected for the England team is healthy.

Walcott is determined to re-establish himself under Roy Hodgson after ending a frustrating, 18-month wait for England cap number 37.

A ruptured anterior cruciate ligament meant 2014 was a year to forget for the 26-year-old, who managed just two Arsenal appearances before a groin strain hampered his comeback but it seems he's close to full fitness and desperate to be involved for the national team.

"I'm only going to get even sharper with games," said Walcott who has made 11 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners since the turn of the year.

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Harry Kane scored 79 seconds into his England debut from the bench as Roy Hodgson’s men beat Lithuania 4-0.

And with England travelling to Turin on Tuesday for a friendly, Walcott said: "Competition is always going to be there.

"I've been there from 17 and I've managed to get through it now and then. Competition is healthy. We want as a nation for all the players to be playing well.

"It's only going to spur you on and make you a better player. Bring it on, definitely. I think you need to prove yourself no matter what. I had a long-term injury but I got back from that and not many people would have worked hard like I did to get back to where I am.

"To get the shirt back on after such a long injury spell, I'm very pleased with that."

Walcott's cameo as a second-half substitute in Friday's 4-0 win against Lithuania was his first appearance for England in 563 days - an absence so long he could not even recall his previous game.

"I can't remember the last time I put on the shirt," he said. "It might've been Scotland, when I scored.

"That's positive for myself just to get back in amongst it, get a 15-minute blow-out. To be back at Wembley, in the England shirt, is a great achievement for me.

"I've worked hard to get back where I am. I think I'm still easing myself back in but I've had a taste of it and I want to get more of that.

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Speaking to SoccerAM, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dishes the dirt on his England team mates, including who is the worst dancer.

"I've been training really well. Hopefully going into Tuesday's game (against Italy) I'll get more of a run-out."

Walcott's last England appearance before Friday was, in fact, the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in September 2013.

Walcott hopes to get another run-out at the Juventus Stadium, where the eyes of the nation will once again be on Harry Kane.

"It's fantastic," Walcott said of the Tottenham striker. "He's worked hard, he's still very young. I've seen him in training, I've seen it first hand. Some of the stuff he can do with the ball is fantastic. He sees the goal.

"You need to make sure it doesn't go to your head. Harry's not that sort of guy. He's very nice and down to earth.

"(I would say) just play your football, that's all you need to do. You don't need to worry about anything else. You can see he's playing with a smile on his face every day. You see it in training. As long as he continues to do that, the best will come from him."

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