ENGLAND'S football fans had their first taste of the country's new wonderkid last night as Theo Walcott stepped on to the international stage.

A media frenzy has surrounded the 17-year-old - and his girlfriend Melanie Slade - since England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson named the Arsenal youngster in his World Cup squad.

Last night, he entered the fray as a substitute after 61 minutes during England B's match against Belarus at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.

He showed glimpses of speed and flair, which fans will be hoping can help the side to glory in Germany this summer.

Speaking afterwards, Erikson said: "I think he (Walcott) came on well. He didn't look shy at all."

Walcott came on with the score at 1-1 before the visitors, reduced to ten men, went on to win the match 2-1.

With fans still awaiting news - expected this morning - on the MRI scan of Wayne Rooney's broken foot, the scoreline was not the only bad news.

Goalkeeper Robert Green's World Cup campaign is almost certainly over after he was stretchered off with a suspected torn groin muscle.

Positive points included a great display by Aaron Lennon and the link-up between Peter Crouch and Newcastle United's Michael Owen - a strike partnership that could start the World Cup against Paraguay.

Middlesbrough's Stuart Downing also proved effective down the wing, and it was his accurate free kick which led to England's opener.