Southampton forward Theo Walcott has missed out on the squad for the last three games in the Premier League and the same thing is expected when the Saints welcome FA Cup semifinalists Crystal Palace to the St. Mary's Stadium this weekend. Theo Walcott is on course to miss out on the squad once again when Southampton play hosts to the Eagles in a Premier League encounter scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Theo Walcott has lost his status as a first team regular this season under the managerial reign of Ralph Hassenhuttl. The Englishman was a regular in the Southampton XI when he returned to the club as a loanee from fellow Premier League team Everton at the start of last season. He spent the last season of his Everton contract on loan at Southampton where his professional career began several years ago.
Hassenhuttl and senior Southampton officials made the decision to turn his loan deal into a permanent one at the end of last season and he was given a two-year deal. However, he has seen little playing time in the first of the two-year deal. Addressing the lack of playing minutes for Walcott at the club this season, Southampton manager Hassenhuttl told reporters ahead of the visit of Everton earlier this year that he has prioritised giving playing minutes to young players at the expense of players who are in and around the veteran stage of their career including Theo Walcott.
Walcott has missed out on the squads for the recent games against Arsenal,Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion. His last Southampton appearance was as an unused substitute during the 6-0 home defeat to Chelsea. He missed the 1-0 home win over former team Arsenal thanks to the first half strike from Polish defender Jan Bednarek. He also missed out on the 2-0 loss at Burnley and the 2-2 draw with Brighton away from home.
