Theo Walcott has one message to send to rivals competing for his place in the England team : Bring it on . The Arsenal winger spent practically an entire year out for club and country , missing last summer ’ s World Cup in Brazil , and is only just easing himself into action . In his absence , Raheem Sterling has emerged as one of the nation ’ s best players , Danny Welbeck continues to play well for England and Harry Kane has raced into contention . Theo Walcott speed past the Lithuania defence during a late cameo appearance on Friday night . Walcott spent practically an entire year out for club and country , missing last summer ’ s World Cup in Brazil . Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney is a permanent fixture after being handed the England captaincy . With captain Wayne Rooney a permanent fixture on the team-sheet , England manager Roy Hodgson is not short of attacking options whatever formation he chooses to play . But Walcott said : ‘ Bring it on . Competition is always going to be there anyway . I ’ ve been there from 17-years-old and I ’ ve manage to get through it now and then . ‘ Competition is healthy . We want as a nation for all the players to be playing well . It ’ s only going to spur you on and make you a better player. ’ Danny Welbeck , Rooney and Jack Wilshere celebrate scoring against Scotland at Celtic Park in Glasgow . Harry Kane has raced into England contention this season and earned a call-up to Roy Hodgson 's squad . Kane scored less than two minutes into his England debut during the 4-0 win against Lithuania . Welbeck has continued to play well for the Three Lions despite failing to impress too many at club level . Walcott admitted he had ‘ got a taste for it ’ after coming on as a substitute for England in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania and is hoping for more game time in the friendly with Italy . Spurs striker Kane also came on from the bench and continued his incredible rise this season by scoring 79 seconds into his England debut . Kane is still only 21-years-old , whereas Walcott was thrust into the spotlight four years earlier . And Walcott warned : ’ You need to make sure it doesn ’ t go to your head . Looking at Harry he ’ s not that sort of guy . He 's very nice and down to earth . But Walcott has warned Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane not to let it all go to his head . ‘ Just play your football , that ’ s all you need to do . You don ’ t need to worry about anything else . You can see he ’ s playing with a smile on his face every day . You see it in training . As long as he continues to do that , the best will come from him. ’ ‘ He ’ s had a lot of experience in the Premier League already . Being top-goalscorer as well . It ’ s only going to make him into a better player . If he ’ s right up there with the best , he ’ ll believe he is the best . It ’ s only good for England . ’
Theo Walcott has challenged rivals competing for his England place . Arsenal winger spent practically an entire year out for club and country . In his absence , Raheem Sterling has emerged as one of the nation ’ s best . Harry Kane raced into contention as Danny Welbeck continues his form .