England winger Theo Walcott has said that he hopes to show the Three Lions what they have been missing against Italy tonight.

The Arsenal man has not started a match for his country since the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in September 2013, but it is thought that he will start against the Azzurri in Turin as part of a front three alongside Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane.

Walcott insists that he is ready to fight for his place in the side.

"I think if I'm given the opportunity I think that's when I can show maybe what the team is missing, or get something out of it," the 26-year-old told the London Evening Standard. "I just want to show what I can do and we'll see where that takes me.

"I did all my rehab and worked really hard and set myself targets each week and I managed to hit them. At the end of it you reach your goal, which is playing again and being back with your teammates doing what you love doing. It wasn't all doom and gloom, there are people worse off in the world.

"When you see the guys go out training, when you're not, it's hard. But I just want to forget about it. I've been through it and it's all about the present now and I'm looking forward."

Walcott has won 37 caps for England.