FORMER Saints star Theo Walcott and his wife Mel are expecting a baby next summer.

However there could be a clash of fixtures for the Arsenal striker if he is picked for England’s World Cup squad by boss Roy Hodgson.

Theo, 24, who left Saints in 2006 for the London side, could be in Brazil at the time the baby is due. He would have to attend a training camp in Miami before the tournament, which runs from mid June to mid July.

In a joint statement the couple said: “We are both very excited at such happy news just a few months after getting married. We are really looking forward to becoming parents.'

The pair met nine years ago while Mel – daughter of former Southampton mayor John Slade – was working at Claire’s Accessories in Southampton’s WestQuay shopping centre and Theo was at Saints.

They tied the knot in June in the Italian region of Tuscany.

Daily Echo:

Theo – who has recently returned to the Gunners squad after a minor abdominal operation - was a shock pick for the England squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany but did not play any games.

He was not picked for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.