TERRY Paine believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be an important impact player for England at Euro 2012.

Legendary Saints winger Paine believes former St Mary’s star Oxlade-Chamberlain’s pace and attacking threat will make him a potentially vital weapon for manager Roy Hodgson.

“It will be limited,” said Paine, when asked what involvement he expects Oxlade-Chamberlain to have.

“I just feel that Roy Hodgson is going to set his team up in a defensive formation, with one up front and five in midfield.

“He will go with the more tried and tested in the wide areas, and certainly Theo Walcott will be one of those, with Ashley Young probably on the other flank.

“There will come a stage against the better sides where England will concede and have to chase games, and that is where Oxlade-Chamberlain could come into his own.”

Paine, a member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad, knows a thing or two about playing out on the wing.

Saints’ all-time record appearance holder believes Oxlade-Chamberlain has the necessary ability to be a devastating presence out wide.

But he thinks the Arsenal player’s lack of experience will be the biggest obstacle in his way this summer.

“I looked at him against Belgium (in last week’s friendly) and the first thing that came to mind was his inexperience,” said Paine.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that, certainly in the future, he will have a big role to play.

“I can see the sense in him being used as a sub, to get at and run at full backs.

“On the occasion he was allowed to do that against Belgium, he showed he has got the ability to be able to turn defenders and run free from them.”

Read the full interview in today's SPORT PINK