England boss Roy Hodgson has voiced his disappointment over Theo Walcott's serious knee injury.

The 24-year-old is expected to miss this summer's World Cup after suffering ligament damage during Arsenal's FA Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

"I spoke with Theo and just wanted to express my disappointment to him," Hodgson told the Football Association's official website.

"It is a blow for him personally of course, and for both Arsenal and England.

"We had quite a lengthy conversation and it is such a shame that we have lost a player of his calibre for the World Cup, he has been incredibly unfortunate and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Arsenal claimed on Monday that Walcott is due to undergo surgery "in the near future" to correct the problem.