Graphic: History boys do battle in Berlin I Do England supporters care more than the players? I Marcotti: Benitez would do the same if he was Capello I Walcott slip puts forward line a step back I Analysis: Tony Cascarino I Capello finds no escape from friendly fire I

England’s injury jinx struck again last night when Theo Walcott dislocated his right shoulder after a fall during training at the Olympic Stadium.

The Arsenal winger, who went down after colliding with Scott Parker, one of the late recruits to Fabio Capello’s severely depleted squad, was rushed to hospital and will be flown home this morning for treatment at his club, who are likely to be without his services for several months.

Walcott’s injury leaves Capello without eight first-team players for this evening’s friendly against Germany — David James, John Terry and Gareth Barry will be the only regulars — but such is the shock at the second dislocation suffered by England’s boy wonder that for some the final international of the year will assume secondary importance.

The 19-year-old has emerged as a key figure since becoming the youngest England player to score a hat-trick, against Croatia in Zagreb in September, and Capello will find it all but impossible to replace his combination of pace and trickery.

The sense of frustration will be even more acute because the injury occurred during training, not while riding the heavy tackles that Walcott has become accustomed to facing in matches, although it is not known what part the rainswept surface may have played in the incident. The shoulder was put back into place in hospital, but the longer-term damage is difficult to assess.

“Our priority is Theo and making him as comfortable as possible before he returns to England,” Capello said, the manager having earlier spelt out his determination to have the final say on assessing players’ injuries before international matches in the wake of the fallout with Liverpool over the withdrawal of Steven Gerrard. “We’re all very disappointed, but the most important thing is for Theo to travel home and make a quick recovery.”

The overriding emotion at Arsenal is likely to be anger. Arsène Wenger is an outspoken critic of the number of friendly internationals — particularly those scheduled in November, when there are no competitive matches for four months — and the manager will be furious that he has lost one of his most important attacking players, especially in such circumstances.

Walcott’s brief career has been blighted by shoulder injuries. The former Southampton winger suffered a separation after playing just a handful of matches for Arsenal in 2006, underwent surgery after dislocating his left shoulder last year and injured the same shoulder during the defeat away to Stoke City this month after a tackle by Rory Delap that incensed Wenger.