Theo Walcott unconcerned by Wayne Rooney absence

Theo Walcott has said that Wayne Rooney's suspension will not be catastrophic for England's chances at Euro 2012.

The Manchester United striker will sit out the group games against France and Sweden after being sent off in the Three Lions' final qualifying game against Montenegro.

Walcott believes that there is enough talent in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad to compensate for Rooney's absence.

"Wayne is a very important player to the team but that's what we have to bounce back from," the Daily Star quotes Walcott as saying. "You need to react from that disappointment.

"He has a two-match ban, but the players we have in that dressing room, we play in the best league in the world as well, so it's not a hard task for anyone who comes into Wayne's role.

"You never know, we might keep Wayne out of the team if we do well in the first two games."

England's final group game is against co-hosts Ukraine.