World Cup hotshot Theo Walcott has said that when not scoring goals for England or Arsenal he likes to relax and listen to hip-hop and R n’ B on his iPod.

The young striker revealed in an interview with football magazine Four Four Two that his favourite tunes are the evocative beats of groundbreaking New York emcee Nas and the soulful crooning of Usher.

England team mate and Real Madrid ‘galactico’ David Beckham has also been spotted sporting the ubiquitious ‘white buds’ of the iPod
earphones.

Meanwhile the Sun has reported that another young England star – Wayne Rooney – is frustrated at not being able to take his iPod
into the oxygen chamber which is helping him heal his broken metatarsal.

Rooney, also a hip hop fan, has tackled the problem by setting up speakers around the facility to play his favourite tracks.

Reports say friend and fellow Manchester United and England player Rio Ferdinand has been devising the playlists.

© 2006 Adfero Ltd