THEO WALCOTT: I'm glad I got injured in FA Cup match against Spurs... now I am ready to be the main man for Arsenal and England

Theo Walcott poses at England's St George's Park base ahead of Sunday's international against Ireland 

Theo Walcott is beaming like any proud father would. On his phone’s screen is his son Finley, 14 months old and seemingly destined for greatness. Walcott switches the video footage to slow-motion so we can fully appreciate it.

‘Honestly you’ll be amazed,’ he says. A soft football is bouncing towards Finley Walcott and, using his arms to steady himself and balance, he connects cleanly, hitting it on the half-volley with remarkable poise and power. It is not that different from Walcott’s opening goal for Arsenal in the FA Cup final last weekend.

It has been a traumatic and difficult 18 months for Walcott, with a knee-ligament injury in January putting him out of football for a year, aside from two brief substitute appearances in November.

Walcott ended the season in good form for Arsenal and wants to carry that into England's game vs Ireland

But that superb Wembley goal means he is finally enjoying some of the glory associated with being a professional footballer with England and Arsenal. Add in his new son and it is understandable he feels enormously positive about the future.

‘Fatherhood has been a big thing,’ he says. ‘The injury came at a great time to be honest with you. That’s a terrible thing to say. But when you go through that experience of becoming a father, it’s great.’