Fabio Capello admitted he put his reputation on the line when he picked Arsenal winger Theo Walcott against Croatia last month.

The England manager revealed he had a "sensation" about Walcott and decided to select him ahead of the more experienced duo of David Beckham and David Bentley. But Capello's gamble paid off spectacularly as Walcott scored a memorable hat-trick.

Capello felt his tactics would have come under criticism if Walcott and England had failed to get a positive result away in Croatia.

"When I put my faith in Walcott, I had the sensation and the belief he could give me that little bit extra, but he honestly gave much, much more than even I expected," said Capello.

"I think it depends on the coach's qualities to understand when the moment to field a youngster has come.

"As it is far more difficult to play in the national team, you can only rely on a youngster if he is really good, and not just playing quite well with his club.

"You play one match and you are judged on it for a month and a half.

"The same goes for the coach. If you don't win a match in which you fielded a youngster they wonder why you didn't choose someone more experienced.

"It's really important for a young player to gain experience, but the world-class ones emerge rapidly."

Walcott has failed to recreate his brilliance for England with his club Arsenal, but the winger is still expected to keep out the likes of Beckham and Bentley for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus.
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