Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott hopes to be back
in action for the Gunners by the end of the month after a shoulder
injury.
The 19-year-old has been sidelined since suffering the
problem, which required surgery, while on international duty in
November.
The youngster - who netted a hat-trick for England in the World
Cup qualifying win over Croatia - has been sorely missed by
Arsenal, whose title challenge has faded as they currently sit six
points outside the top four of the Premier League.
Walcott, though, feels he could soon be back in contention,
perhaps even in time to feature in the Champions League last-16
clash against Roma, which is split over two legs on February 24 and
March 11.
"I am nearly there, and hopefully [will be back] by the end of
this month," Walcott said in a webchat on Arsenal's official
website.
"I am doing a lot of rehab work now with the shoulder, landing
on it, and also in the gym with a lot of weights to build the
muscle strength back."
The England winger continued: "I just feel it will be when I am
ready. Obviously I do not want to do it again, so I have got to be
100% fit."
Walcott revealed the shoulder problem was something of an
inherited condition, but believes the latest operation will see him
return stronger.
"My dad had an operation on his right side (shoulder) as well,
and when I had my left side done, they did a scan on my right and
said that something might have to be done at a different stage,"
Walcott added.
"So actually it is good that it has come when I am young, and
hopefully now it will be as strong as anything."