Soccer-Ill Walcott latest to pull out of England squad

Winger Theo Walcott has become

the latest player to drop out of the England squad for Tuesday's

World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley after being sent

home with a virus.

 Chelsea defenders Ashley Cole and John Terry had to withdraw

from the squad over the weekend with ankle injuries to join

Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and Scott

Parker on the sidelines.

 Coach Roy Hodgson told a news conference on Monday that

striker Daniel Sturridge was suffering from stomach cramps but

could be fit for the Group H match.

 Given the illness in the camp, uncapped duo Raheem Sterling

of Liverpool and Adam Lallana of Southampton have been added to

the squad along with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jake

Livermore.

 "Theo has picked up some sort of virus or bug because he was

quite violently ill last night. Daniel trained yesterday with

stomach cramps and complained of them but still got through the

training session," Hodgson said.

 "Today he woke up with the same sort of cramps although he

was slightly better I believe and the doctor is confident he

will be OK."

 "BIGGER TEST"

 The only change Hodgson was expecting to make from the side

that beat Moldova 5-0 in their opening qualifier on Friday was

choosing either Gary Cahill or Phil Jagielka to replace Terry in

the centre of defence.

 "I don't need to be coy about the team - John Terry's

position will be taken by either Phil Jagielka or Gary Cahill.

There won't be any other changes unless something untoward

happens between now and Tuesday," he said.

 Skipper Steven Gerrard, who made his international debut

against Ukraine in 2000 and will win his 98th cap on Tuesday,

was delighted a crowd of around 70,000 are expected for the

London match.

 "It will be one of the highest attendances throughout Europe

and on the back of the Olympics and the Paralympics, it's

incredible really," he said.

 "The performance (against Moldova) the other night was

positive, but I think tomorrow night will be an even bigger

test.

 "They are a group of players who have been together for a

long time and are technically very good and there were times

when we played them in the Euros that we stood off them and gave

them too much respect."

 England, who beat Ukraine 1-0 in Donetsk on June 19, are

unbeaten in eight matches under Hodgson and have only lost two

of the 40 World Cup matches they have played at Wembley.

 England are top of the early standings in a group which as

well as Ukraine and Moldova includes Poland, San Marino and

Montenegro.