Walcott's named as the top youngster

Theo Walcott will be named tonight as the BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year, despite attracting most attention for not playing at the World Cup.

Former England head coach Sven Goran Eriksson stunned football when he picked the Arsenal teenager in his World Cup squad for Germany even though he had never seen him play and the teenager had yet to appear in the Premiership for the club he joined in a £12 million deal in January.

Walcott, 17, became England's youngest ever player when he appeared as a substitute in the 3-1 friendly defeat of Hungary in May but he never made it off the bench in the World Cup.

Walcott has made 16 appearances for Arsenal this season, mostly as substitute, and scored the crucial goals for England Under-21s in the 2-0 October defeat of Germany. That result ensured England's qualification for next year's European Championship finals.

Ryder Cup hero Darren Clarke is the clear favourite to win tonight's main award.