The Arsenal winger was substituted at half-time in Kazakhstan as Fabio Capello showed he can be ruthless even towards England’s best young stars.

Walcott, 20, burst onto the world stage with his stunning hat-trick which tore Croatia apart in Zagreb last September.

But since dislocating his shoulder before the friendly against Germany in November and missing much of the season through injury, he has struggled to play such a key role for Capello.

Arsenal’s disappointing domestic run-in saw his form dip and he now faces a battle to keep his place in the starting line-up for England’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra on Wednesday.

But Beckham had words of encouragement for his young protege as Walcott looks to follow in the former England captain’s illustrious foot steps down the right wing.

Read more here at The Mirror