Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott has not been in great form this season Getty

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler is sceptical about Roy Hodgson's decision to pick Theo Walcott in the preliminary squad before the 2016 European Championships in France as the forward has not been in great form for Arsenal. The speedster is currently out of favour at the Emirates with Alex Iwobi and Joel Campbell selected ahead of the 27-year-old in the last few games.

Walcott is expected to start against Germany on Saturday and Fowler believes that it would be a major injustice to the other in-form players in the league who have performed better than Walcott. Hodgson has a host of options up front and Fowler believes that he cannot leave Wayne Rooney out of the side despite the 30-year-old having flattered to deceive through the length of this season. The Manchester United man is currently out injured and is expected to return to contention after the international break.

Danny Welbeck, Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy are the few players who are in contention for a place and Fowler believes that it would not be justified to have Walcott when he has not done enough to displace either of them from the squad. Meanwhile, Welbeck's plan to feature in the Euros has taken a major setback after he failed to recover completely from a knee injury that has plagued him for months.

"If form is being rewarded, as it is for Danny Drinkwater, I'm not sure what Theo Walcott is doing in the squad," said Fowler in his column for the New Day, as quoted by the Mirror. "He's not scoring for Arsenal so is clearly picked for what he's done in the past."

"I'm sure 95 per cent of his squad is nailed on. Wayne Rooney isn't there this week but will be come the game against Russia on June 11.

"Daniel Sturridge needs to prove his fitness, and even then others are more deserving for now. You can't leave out Harry Kane, who is bang in form, although Danny Welbeck is a Hodgson favourite. Jamie Vardy has not be as devastating as he was earlier in the season, but still works the defenders," he added.

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