Former Southampton boss Lawrie McMenemey has welcomed the return of Theo Walcott.

He wrote for the Daily Echo: "He is obviously so well thought of at Everton. They have a big squad and are doing so well but they have helped themselves and Theo, as well and Saints, by allowing him to come on loan for the rest of the season.

"Theo, to me, will be as important to the manager in the dressing room as on the pitch.

"The reason for that is there will be total respect for him, particularly from the youngsters, when they look at how his career has developed – especially when starting out at Southampton.

"I think the manager will be delighted with this addition to his squad and it gives more competition for places, which is not a bad thing bearing in mind, after a bit of a dodgy start, we have won our past two league games. As I said before, they would not be easy with Burnley and West Brom."