Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has insisted that he does not want to rush his return to fitness.

The 25-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season in January after suffering a knee ligament injury against Tottenham Hotspur.

While admitting that he is eager to get back on the pitch, Walcott is hoping to recover properly in the months ahead.

"I am not pushing myself to be fit for the World Cup or anything like that. I want to be back quickly, of course, but safely, too," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"I want to try and be back for the early part of next season, that is the goal, so there will be a lot of hard work throughout the summer and during the World Cup."

Walcott had scored six goals in 18 games for Arsenal this season before getting injured.