Becks tips Theo for a major role; INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL.

ENGLAND icon David Beckham insists Theo Walcott will pose a potent future threat to the world's best.

Beckham has tipped Walcott - just back from injury - to be a major player for England despite a quiet outing in the 4-0 win in Kazakhstan in Saturday's World Cup qualifier.

That display was in stark contrast to the euphoria surrounding his hat-trick against Croatia earlier in the campaign.

"I think Theo Walcott is always a threat," he said. "A player with that pace and the way he runs at players and goes past players, he is always a threat.

"He is a talented player and, even against Kazakhstan, you put the ball in front of him, and he causes any defence problems.

"I don't care what anyone says about his form, Theo is going to be a threat to any defender in the world. He is a great person, and a great player, and he is fine." Beckham could get a rare start under Capello against Andorra at Wembley on Wednesday with Gareth Barry suspended after being yellow carded in Almaty.

"I'm not even thinking about that," said

Beckham. "Whether I am playing or others play, we have a very talented group of players.

Whoever steps in for Gareth is going to be great." Beckham was pleased with the way England overcame a sticky opening spell against Kazakhstan to maintain their 100% record in the group with a sixth successive win.

He said: "The result was the important thing.

It is always going to be tough for the first 20 minutes, but we came through it." England boss Fabio Capello has confirmed that centre-back Rio Ferdinand has lost his fitness battle to face Andorra and will miss the World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Ferdinand's calf injury, which almost ruled him out of Manchester United's Champions League final defeat against Barcelona, meant he missed the trip to Kazakhstan. He met with the squad last week but did not travel and has now been assessed again.

"No, 100%," Capello said. "We spoke with the physio at United and he is not okay." MEANWHILE two Boro starlets are in the squad for tonight's England Under-21 friendly against Azerbaijan at stadium:mk.

Adam Johnson and Andrew Taylor could feature in the game, the final warm-up before Stuart Pearce's side fly out to Sweden on Thursday for the finals of the European Under-21 Championships.

England open with a match against Finland next Monday and Pearce is urging them to go one better after crashing out on penalties in the semis to Holland two years ago - despite leading with a minute left in normal time.

"That made us stronger, definitely," he said.

"Most of the staff that went two years ago are the same staff again.

"We've got a few players who were there but I think the players who have joined the camp since have picked up very quickly what we're trying to achieve and to build from two years ago, and all credit to them.

"I've been to three semi-finals in four tournaments so I'd like to go one further and go and win a trophy."

WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFYING GROUP 6 PW D L F APts England................... 6 6 0 0 20 4 18 Croatia.................... 6 3 2 1 12 6 11 Belarus ................... 5 3 0 2 14 7 9 Ukraine ................... 5 2 2 1 7 5 8 Kazakhstan ............. 6 1 0 5 6 20 3 Andorra ................... 6 0 0 6 2 19 0

CAPTION(S):

THE PERFECT 10: England striker Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal with team-mate Emile Heskey in Almaty on Saturday night. Both were on target, but David Beckham believes Theo Walcott can play a major role in his nation's World Cup glory bid