World Cup 2010: Walcott left out of England squad

Walcott - shock inclusion in 2006, shock omission in 2010

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was the surprise omission from Fabio Capello's 23-man England World Cup squad.

Walcott, 21, who has 11 caps, started both of England's recent friendly victories against Mexico and Japan.

Darren Bent, Adam Johnson, Scott Parker, Michael Dawson, Leighton Baines and Tom Huddlestone also miss out.

Gareth Barry is included after a fitness test on his ankle injury, while Stephen Warnock, Michael Carrick and Ledley King also make the squad.

Walcott was a shock member of former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's 2006 World Cup squad but did not feature in the tournament and the then-17-year-old's inclusion was widely criticised.

The right winger has three international goals, all coming in a 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory against Croatia in Zagreb on 10 September 2008.

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But after suffering with shoulder, back, knee and hamstring problems this season he was restricted to 15 starts for Arsenal this term.

And Walcott said in a statement: "I am very disappointed not to be included in the squad going out to South Africa, but completely respect Mr Capello's decision.

"I would like to wish the team the best of luck and hope they have a really successful tournament."

Tottenham skipper King, 29, has been plagued by a chronic knee problem that restricts his ability to train and play back-to-back games in quick succession.

He featured for the first time under coach Fabio Capello against Mexico on 24 May, scoring with a first-half header.

King had previously been named in a Capello squad in March 2009 but withdrew after being assessed by the England medical staff.

Warnock's only England appearance came as an 84th minute substitute in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in May 2008.

The Aston Villa defender, 28, has previously played for Liverpool and Blackburn as well as loan spells at Bradford and Coventry, and has been preferred in the squad to Baines, who played against Mexico last week and Egypt in March.

Tottenham defender Dawson and West Ham midfielder Parker did not feature in either of the games against Mexico and Japan while Manchester City winger Johnson only got a run out as a late substitute.

Huddlestone was impressive in Tottenham's midfield as they finished the Premier League in fourth place.

The 23-year-old came on as a substitute against Mexico and started against Japan but did not force his way into the final 23.

Sunderland striker Bent was the third highest scorer in the 2009-10 Premier League season with 24 goals but has also missed out.

Manchester City midfielder Barry has not played since he picked up a ligament injury in a Premier League match against Tottenham on 5 May and had an extensive test on his injured ankle on Tuesday morning.

Joe Cole is now fully fit after a serious knee ligament injury and produced an impressive second-half cameo during Sunday's 2-1 win against Japan.

After that match, Cole said: "I think I did all right. These games are never easy - you don't want to get injured and there were some tackles flying in.

"I've had a good 10 days training and a good 45 minutes. I just want to help England win the World Cup."

The World Cup begins on 11 June, with England's first game coming a day later against the United States in Rustenburg.

England's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Watch highlights of England's World Cup qualifying campaign