Steve McClaren told Sven-Goran Eriksson not to take Theo Walcott to the World Cup.

McClaren was apparently concerned by fitness worries over Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, and feared his boss was taking a huge risk in having Peter Crouch as his only fit and experienced striker.

Walcott played no part in England's World CUp campaign as they crashed out in the quarter-finals.

A source told the Daily Mirror: "Steve told Sven he should think again and that he didn't believe Walcott was ready.

"Sven was determined to stick with Theo, especially after he spoke about him with Arsene Wenger.

"But it became obvious that Theo was short for this level."