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 Injured Rooney gets World Cup call
 Walcott, 17, is yet to make his Arsenal debut. SPECIAL REPORTRELATEDPLAYERS TO WATCHLONDON, England -- England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson named Wayne Rooney in his provisional 23-strong World Cup squad and took an even bigger 'gamble' by including 17-year-old striker Theo Walcott. As expected, the Swede picked Manchester United star Rooney on Monday in the hope he will recover from a broken foot in time to play some part in the tournament. The selection of Arsenal's Walcott - Eriksson has never seen him play - and fellow uncapped teenager Aaron Lennon were major surprises. "Maybe it is not logical," he said. "Sometimes you do it by feelings, and I'm excited by Theo Walcott. I cannot wait to start working with him. "I have seen him on videos a lot but never in the flesh. "I have not been able to go and see him playing in the Premiership so, of course, I spoke a lot to (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger about it. "In this case, what Arsene Wenger said was more important than with all the other players." Eriksson, who said last week it could take a miracle for the inspirational Rooney to play in Germany, is still hoping the 20-year-old can take some part in the finals. "I would be absolutely crazy if I didn't pick Wayne Rooney when we still think it's a possibility that he will play in the World Cup, I could never justify that," Eriksson said. Walcott has yet to play in the Premiership after his $9.33 million signing by Arsenal from second-flight Southampton in the January transfer window. However, with serious concerns over Rooney and Michael Owen, who missed Newcastle's season finale against Chelsea on Sunday following a setback in his comeback from a broken foot, Eriksson has opted to make Walcott England's youngest ever player. Rooney won his first full cap aged 17 years and 111 days, and presuming Walcott, whose birthday was in March, plays in either of the warm-up matches against Hungary or Jamaica he would beat that record. "Big gamble""It's a big gamble, I know it's a gamble, but it's a nice one I think," Eriksson told a press conference of his decision to include Walcott in front of established Premier League strikers Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent. "The pace he has is incredible, so out of the 23 players, why not have one gamble." Right winger Lennon has only established himself in the Tottenham side this season and is also renowned for his pace which Eriksson said was important in a World Cup. Middlesbrough's young left winger Stewart Downing, who has a single cap, is called up but there is no place for Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips. "Downing has a very good left foot and Lennon is a good crosser, he beats people," Eriksson said. "I'm excited to take those players and I'm looking forward to it very much." Arsenal defenders Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole are selected, as expected, despite playing few games this season due to injury. Owen, also named, has managed just 30 minutes of Premiership action since the turn of the year. With only four strikers in the main party, Eriksson has included Tottenham's Defoe and Crystal Palace star Andy Johnson among his stand-by players. He must finalize his selection by the FIFA deadline of May 15 and can replace injured players within 24 hours of England's opening match against Paraquay on June 9. Squad:Goalkeepers: David James (Manchester City), Robert Green (Norwich City), Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur) Defenders: John Terry, Wayne Bridge (both Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville (both Manchester United), Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell (both Arsenal) Midfielders: Joe Cole, Frank Lampard (both Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), David Beckham (Real Madrid), Michael Carrick, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon (all Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) Forwards: Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal) 
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