Oct 8, 2016 at 5pm UK at ​Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 81,718
England
2-0
Malta
Sturridge (29'), Alli (38')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Borg (55')

Gareth Southgate confirms Theo Walcott start

Theo Walcott of England in action during the International Friendly match between Italy and England at Juventus Stadium on March 31, 2015
© Getty Images
Interim England manager Gareth Southgate confirms that Theo Walcott will start his side's World Cup qualifier against Malta at Wembley.

Interim England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Theo Walcott will start during Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Malta at Wembley.

The Arsenal winger has been in good form of late, scoring four goals in his last four appearances for the Gunners.

Injuries to Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling have further increased the 27-year-old's chances of being involved, and Southgate believes that he is worthy of a return to the international fold.

"I've been told I have to bring someone [to the press conference] who will start so, yes, Theo will start," he told reporters.

"It's a good moment for him. He's in superb form for his club and as an international manager your ideal is to have people in the squad who are playing well.

"He's maturing hugely as a player and he should feel full of confidence because everything I've seen suggests he's going to continue that."

Walcott, who was not part of England's Euro 2016 squad, will win his 45th international cap against Malta.

Theo Walcott of England celebrates scoring during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E qualifying match between England and Estonia at Wembley on October 9, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
Read Next:
Walcott calls for England to "be brave"
>

Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City76011871118
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs7520123917
3Arsenal7511167916
4Liverpool75111810816
5Everton7421115614
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd7412138513
7Chelsea7412129313
8Crystal Palace7322118311
9West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom72328719
10Southampton72327619
11Watford72231213-18
12Leicester CityLeicester7223811-38
13Bournemouth7223611-58
14Burnley721459-47
15Hull City7214714-77
16Middlesbrough7133710-36
17Swansea CitySwansea7115612-64
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham7115817-94
19Stoke CityStoke7034516-113
20Sunderland7025613-72