Theo Walcott Injury: Updates on Arsenal Star's Rib Injury

Theo Walcott will spend the night in hospital after a first-half injury removed him from England’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino on Friday.

UPDATE: Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1:02 p.m. ET by Patrick Clarke 

Theo Walcott has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifying match vs. Poland on Tuesday, October 16 with a chest injury according to Goal.com.

---End of Update---

The news came from the Mirror, who reported English Manager Roy Hodgson confirmed Walcott’s overnight stay for the injury.

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Roy Hodgson reveals Theo Walcott will stay in hospital over night #visitdating

— MirrorFootball (@MirrorFootball) October 12, 2012"

Walcott’s injury came after a brutal collision on a challenge on the San Marino goal just five minutes into the action. Keeper Aldo Simoncini didn’t back down and dropped the English midfielder to the pitch.

“It was a penalty, that’s for sure,” Hodgson said, according to TheSportReview.com. “It was a very bad challenge. He’s in hospital and will stay in hospital overnight.”

Hodgson thought it was dirty and stressed his displeasure with the call, according to Goal UK.

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"I think if I were to describe it was reckless I would be being kind. I think the goalkeeper, although I don’t believe for one minute there was any malice in it when he went for the ball, irrespective of that it was a very bad challenge and it’s put Walcott in hospital we have to wait now and find out the extent of his injury.

And really and truly when your goalkeeper does that I think you very lucky to a) have him still on the field, and b) not have a penalty given against him."

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Speculation of the injury ranged from a concussion early on by ESPN to a broken rib by the time all the information was known. He’s undergoing tests tonight during his hospital stay.

Walcott, 23, who has been embattled in a contract dispute with Arsenal, could have a few months to sort of his affairs if the injury is as bad as suspected.

His injury might be bad in the short term for Arsenal and initially for the English team, but he’ll be alright eventually and in enough time to help England qualify for Brazil World Cup.