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When Fabio Capello first mentioned the notion of experimenting against Germany after England’s resounding 3-1 World Cup win against Belarus last month, he only half meant it, but circumstances have forced his hand.

The shoulder dislocation suffered by Theo Walcott after his collision with Scott Parker at the Olympic Stadium last night has provided the England manager with another untimely headache. Shaun Wright-Phillips is likely to replace the Arsenal teenager in the starting line-up this evening, but finding someone to provide Walcott’s pace and goal threat in the medium to long term will not be so straightforward.

Walcott has left all of his rivals trailing in his wake since he scored that stunning breakthrough hat-trick in Zagreb two months ago, much like the Croatia defence on that unforgettable evening, when even David Beckham was reduced to the status of a glorified cap collector.

While the length of Walcott’s absence will not be known until he is assessed by Arsenal over the next few days, Capello — and Arsène Wenger for that matter — will have to get used to the idea of being without his most potent attacking weapon for the foreseeable future.

Walcott’s age, slight frame and the extent of the threat he poses to defences have always made him seem vulnerable. This latest setback is the fourth shoulder injury the 19-year-old has sustained in two years, raising awkward questions about the longevity of a rare talent who will always be a target for uncompromising defenders, much to Wenger’s chagrin.

In some respects Walcott’s pace works against him, as even the slightest of clips is likely to send him sprawling when he is sprinting at such velocity.

Walcott bravely played on with a left shoulder injury throughout much of his first season at Arsenal before finally undergoing surgery in the summer of 2007, but that was not the end of his problems. The former Southampton winger was taken off on a stretcher after a heavy challenge from Rory Delap in Arsenal’s defeat away to Stoke City this month, leading Wenger to complain that his players were being deliberately targeted.

Wright-Phillips will be the immediate beneficiary of Walcott’s misfortune, though Capello will also examine other options as the match progresses. The Italian has waxed lyrical about Gabriel Agbonlahor for some time without giving him a cap, but that should change in the second half, while Ashley Young, Agbonlahor’s Aston Villa team-mate, will also be brought on at some stage.

Capello will summon his most experienced players from the start, however, with Stewart Downing and Michael Carrick earning recalls in midfield and David James retaining his place in goal, although Scott Carson is expected to come off the bench. Carrick has not played for England since the friendly defeat by Germany at Wembley 15 months ago, with Capello claiming his absence has been the result of injury.

“Carrick was in my mind always,” he said. “We put him in the squad, the provisional squad, always, but he was injured. He’s started to play, I think, the last three or four games for United consecutively. For this reason, he’s in. He’s one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

“I’m happy because some players that have been playing very well in the Premier League can play in another very important game against a big team and I can check the confidence and performance of these players. I hope to learn a lot about my players.”

As for the youngsters, Capello is hoping they follow the example of Walcott and seize their opportunity. The vast concrete bowl of the Olympic Stadium, with twin towers recapturing the absurd pomposity of the Nazi regime that built it, is an intimidating venue for visiting teams, though it can also serve as an inspiration.

“I will be happy some of the senior players lose their places if some new players play very well, like Walcott against Croatia,” Capello said. “This will be a very strong game and I can check the confidence, the value of the players.

“I remember when Sven put Walcott in the squad. You have to put younger players in sometimes.”