A Marks and Spencer’s ad campaign suffered a blow when one of its stars, England striker Theo Walcott, was dropped from the England team.

The England star was also picked to appear in ads for Nike, which also assumed he would make the England team.

Walcott appears alongside other England stars in a high profile billboard campaign for M&S grey suits. The retailer, which is one of England’s official sponsors, has provided suits for the World Cup squad.

Nike used Walcott in a TV ad campaign that shows him playing in the finals. His face also appears on the front of FIFA’s football video game this year.

A Marks and Spencer spokesman told The Sun: “We always knew there was a risk, but we’re proud to be sponsoring the players.”

Walcott was dropped from the England squad yesterday  in a surprise move by manager Fabio Capello.

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