A surgeon has reportedly claimed that he can rescue Theo Walcott's hopes of playing in this summer's World Cup.

The Arsenal forward's season was thought to be over after he was ruled out for six months with a knee injury sustained in the Gunners' 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.

However professor Gordon Mackay reckons that he can have the England international up and running within four months by using a pioneering procedure, according to the Daily Mail.

He is quoted as saying: "Arsenal will have their plans in place for Theo Walcott's recovery and these are always sensitive issues. But we would like to inform the club of this different approach."

Professor Mackay will contact the Premier League leaders this week and inform them of his plans.