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Winger Theo Walcott has failed to make England's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.

Walcott, who has just recovered from a back injury, scored for Arsenal in the 6-2 win against Blackburn, but coach Fabio Capello opted not to recall him.

Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor returns in place of Jermain Defoe who misses out through a hand injury.

With injury also ruling out goalkeeper Ben Foster, Portsmouth's David James is back for the first time since April.

James returns after recovering from shoulder surgery and a knee problem but the injury that has ruled Foster out is unspecified.


The Manchester United keeper played a full part in his side's draw against Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.

In-form striker Darren Bent, who scored for the Black Cats in that match and is currently the top English scorer in the Premier League, misses out on selection.

England, who have a 100% record in World Cup qualifiers, have already booked their place in the finals in South Africa in 2010.

Even so, Capello has indicated that he will play a full-strength side when England face Ukraine away on 10 October before returning to Wembley to host Belarus four days later.

"I will play with the best players 100% in the first half as always," he said. "The second half it's possible I will make some subs.

"They are not friendly games, they are not experimental games. We have to continue what we have done in qualification."

Before England head out to Ukraine, however, Aston Villa host Manchester City and Capello will hope that the six players he has selected from those teams emerge unscathed from that match at Villa Park on Monday.