THEO WALCOTT has been given a few days off following his impressive contribution to Saints' youngsters' pre-season performances.

Walcott is the youngest member of the St Mary's academy aged just 15.

Despite his tender age, he has played for the reserves against Basingstoke and Farnborough's senior sides in pre-season.

Against Basingstoke he came on at half-time - earlier than boss Stewart Henderson had initially planned to use him - and set up three goals in a 6-1 victory.

He also impressed as a substitute in the 2-0 win at Conference outfit Farnborough.

The Newbury-based Walcott played the 90 minutes on Saturday as Saints Under-18s defeated Brighton 2-0 to maintain their unbeaten pre-season run - they had previously won 4-3 against Swindon and 4-2 against South African tourists Tuks.

"Theo has done well," said Under-18s coach Henderson.

"He has played against men, physically strong teams, and done well.

"But we must guard against over-using him.

"He's been training with us full-time as he's broken up from school, so we've given him a few days off now."

Saints are taking a reserve/youth side to Team Bath tonight but Walcott, who is eligible to play in the Under-16s at Saints in 2004/05, is not expected to travel.

Last season Henderson was in charge of the Under-19s, who only lost one game all season in first winning their Academy League section and then beating Sheffield United in a two-legged play-off to win the national yout title for the first-time ever.

The Under-17s also won their League section.

This season the Academy structure has been changed to Under-16s and Under-18s, with Frenchman Georges Prost in charge of the former.

Defender Martin Cranie and striker Leon Best, who both travelled with Paul Sturrock's senior squad to Plymouth on Saturday, are both eligible for the Under-18s this season.

But Henderson said: "They have nothing to gain by playing for me. I don't expect to see them at all next season unless they desperately need a game.

"They were both outstanding at Under-19 level last season and I expect them to be regulars in the reserve team."

Cranie starred as a centre half for the Under-19s in 2003/04 but made an impressive appearance as a sub at right-back at Home Park.

"That's where I have been playing him in pre-season," said Henderson. "It looks like he has a better chance of getting a game in that position than at centre half."

With Cranie being considered for the right-back slot, that leaves Sturrock with numerous options for that position - Jason Dodd, Paul Telfer, Chris Baird and Darren Kenton can also play there!