Sorry Becks, but it´s Walcott´s time, says Capello

David Beckham's role with England appears to be shifting towards mentor rather than chief tormentor after manager Fabio Capello heralded the arrival of new national hero Theo Walcott and suggested he is the future.

Arsenal winger Walcott, chosen ahead of Beckham on the right of midfield, scored a hat-trick in England's remarkable 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Croatia last month that has transformed public opinion of Capello's side.

Now as England prepare for games at home to Kazakhstan on Saturday and away to Belarus next Wednesday it is becoming increasingly clear the 19-year-old is likely to be first choice for the forseeable future with Beckham restricted to a substitute's role.

The LA Galaxy star has a habit of proving people wrong but any talk of Walcott returning to Under-21 action in future was quickly rebutted by Capello, who will name his next senior squad later Sunday.

“I think when you find young players like this, good players, interesting players at the top level he has to play with the seniors. Age is not important, what's important is the quality, the confidence,” said the Italian.

“It's a stupid example but Maradona played when he was 16. Because he was ready. Theo is ready for sure.”

The pressure on Walcott to perform at Wembley next weekend will be immense but Capello clearly sees the Arsenal player as a long-term solution for England even if he is unable to reproduce his hat-trick heroics.

He said: “I hope he produces a good performance. I said after Croatia that everyone would speak about his performance and the people would be waiting for the same performance but sometimes it's not possible.

“I think we have to wait and treat Walcott like the normal players. Sometimes there will be a fantastic performance other times it will be normal and others not good so I substitute him – but that is normal like for the other players.

“I think confidence is important for young players. But usually it's not the young players that help the other players. We need the old players, the captain, the leaders, to help the young.”

That could well become Beckham's main role with England in future, just as it was in Zagreb when Walcott praised the LA Galaxy man for the way he unselfishly helped him prepare for the biggest game of his life despite being left on the sidelines himself.

Since then Beckham has said he would be happy to step aside to allow Walcott to flourish but also insisted he wants to continue as an England player, even from the bench.

His experience will certainly be useful for England as they face two games that could push them to within touching distance of qualifying for the World Cup Finals in South Africa in 2010.

Capello's side already have six points from two matches and could extend their lead over closest rivals Croatia and Ukraine if results go the right way, putting memories of failure to qualify for Euro 2008 well and truly in the past.

“It was very important to win against Croatia, for the players, for the fans, to forget the games before,” said Capello.

“And I think for the players the confidence is very important. For the next game we play at home – I have said we have not played with confidence at Wembley so I hope after the Croatia game the fans and the players will be together against Kazakhstan.”

Capello is likely to have fit-again Steven Gerrard available for selection after he missed the victory in Croatia and the tough decision is whether to change a winning side in order to accommodate the Liverpool man.

He also has the option to select Michael Owen after England's leading goalscorer returned to form and fitness for Newcastle, although he has given the former Real Madrid and Liverpool only a shred of hope.

“He's fit enough. But it's not a good moment for Newcastle,” he said cryptically.

“The last game, Owen was not in the squad because he'd just played one game. This time we have to decide.”

It doesn't sound good for Owen who has scored 40 goals for his country and is just nine short of Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record of 49.

“He's in good form and fit. But it's not enough only to score,” added Capello.

“Players who have not played for 89 minutes then score a goal it is not enough. Goals are very important but not only the goal. But about Owen I have said enough.”