THEO Walcott has been handed a belated 19th birthday present by new England boss Fabio Capello today writes James Randall .

The Arsenal striker has received a senior international call up for the first time since 2006 World Cup, and the player is overjoyed by it.

He told the club's official website: "I celebrated my 19th birthday on Sunday, so the call-up is a great birthday present for me.

He added:"I'm looking forward to meeting up with all of the lads after the weekend's game".

The Arsenal forward is joined in the squad to face France next Wednesday by former England skipper David Beckham, who spent much of the early part of 2008 training with the Gunners and Walcott.