THEO WALCOTT told friends he felt like he had “been hit by a bus” after his horrific Wembley collision.
By CHARLIE WYETT
The Arsenal star was floored in a pile-up with San Marino keeper Aldo Simoncini.
Walcott is now out of England’s World Cup showdown with Poland on Tuesday because of a bruised lung and is unlikely to play again for two weeks.
He was kept in a London hospital for more chest scans yesterday after coughing up blood and is still in pain when he takes a breath.
The winger was clattered five minutes into England’s 5-0 victory over San Marino by a flying challenge boss Roy Hodgson branded “fierce and reckless.”
He was accompanied to hospital by England doctor Ian Beasley. Hodgson said: “Theo was pretty badly beaten up. We can only hope it is just bruising.”
Walcott will miss Arsenal’s trip to Norwich next Saturday, a midweek Champions League clash with Schalke and will be struggling to be fit for the following Saturday’s London derby with QPR.
A pal of Walcott revealed last night: “Theo hopes to be released soon but he said he felt like he’d been hit by a bus.”
An FA statement confirmed: “Walcott has been ruled out of the World Cup qualifier with Poland with a chest injury.
“He was monitored overnight as a precaution and, following scan results, will return to his club for further treatment.”
It is the latest in a series of international injuries to rock Arsenal.
Jack Wilshere has not played a competitive game for the Londoners since being injured in England’s 2-2 draw against Switzerland in 2011.
Walcott himself needed shoulder surgery after being injured in training before England’s friendly against Germany in 2008.
And former skipper Robin van Persie missed five months by tearing ankle ligaments playing for Holland in a 0-0 friendly draw against Italy in 2009.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger accused the Dutch FA of mis-diagnosing that injury and has also had run-ins with the French and Belgian FAs in the last year over injuries to midfielder Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen.
Defender Laurent Koscielny and keeper Lukas Fabianski have also been injured with their countries this season.
Hodgson has no plans to add any further players to his squad for Tuesday’s match in Warsaw.
Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand, who both missed Friday’s qualifier due to injury and illness, will undergo tests today.
