Pearce forces Wenger to share Walcott with Under-21s

Walcott is at the centre of a club-versus-country row (GETTY IMAGES)

Theo Walcott has been included in the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championship despite the concerns of his Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. Walcott, 20, has been at the centre of a club-versus-country row as he is also in the senior squad for World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra, with Wenger fearing his winger might suffer burnout. This is seen as a victory for the Under-21 coach, Stuart Pearce, who has pushed for the inclusion of eligible players even if they have been promoted to Fabio Capello's seniors.

If Pearce's youngsters win their tournament in Sweden, Walcott will have just one week of rest before he is scheduled for pre-season training with his club. Wenger is also aware that the last time Walcott went on international duty he returned to his club with a dislocated shoulder and was out for four months.

Pearce said: "I have every confidence in this squad, we are really looking forward to competing with the best Under-21 teams in Europe and, hopefully, doing our country proud with our performances. It should be a fantastic tournament."

Walcott played a key role in England qualifying for a play-off tie to reach the finals before getting a call-up for the seniors and putting himself in the limelight with his hat-trick against Croatia in Zagreb. Gabriel Agbonlahor has also featured for the seniors and he is going to Sweden with Pearce's youngsters, along with James Milner, Steven Taylor and Micah Richards.

But the Tottenham trio Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O'Hara and Aaron Lennon, are missing through injury.

England Under-21 squad for European Championship in Sweden (begins 15 June): Hart (Manchester City), Lewis (Peterborough), Loach (Watford); Cranie (Portsmouth), Gibbs (Arsenal), Mancienne (Chelsea), Onuoha, Richards (both Manchester City), A Taylor (Middlesbrough), S Taylor (Newcastle), Tomkins (West Ham); Cattermole (Wigan), Driver (Hearts), Gardner, Milner (both Aston Villa), Johnson (Middlesbrough), Muamba (Bolton), Noble (West Ham), Rodwell (Everton); Walcott (Arsenal), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Campbell, Welbeck (both Manchester United).