Arsenal forward Theo Walcott 'could still go' to the World Cup, claims former England striker Cyrille Regis

The England international is expected to miss the rest of the Gunners' campaign and the tournament in Brazil

Theo Walcott is stretchered off the pitch during the match against Tottenham Hotspur (Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

Theo Walcott has been backed to recover from his knee injury in time for the World Cup.

Arsenal released a statement yesterday in which it was made clear that the forward was "expected to be out for at least six months", meaning he would not feature again this campaign and would consequently miss the tournament in Brazil.

However, Cyrille Regis who missed the 1982 World Cup in Spain through injury, believes the 24-year-old could yet recover. However even if Walcott is fit, the former West Brom, Coventry and England striker says the Arsenal forward would not be guaranteed a place in Roy Hodgson's squad.

"He probably could still make it (to the World Cup)," Regis told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It means we've got to talk about his form, whether he's in the right condition, whether other people deserve to go to the World Cup more than him.

"I'm sure his focus will be 'I just want to get fit and give myself a chance' and then we'll see, but for me it was devastating at the time."