Theo Walcott backs Ashley Young and Ashley Cole

Theo Walcott has expressed his sorrow for teammates Ashley Young and Ashley Cole after England's Euro 2012 exit to Italy.

After finishing extra time without a goal, the Three Lions were leading in the penalty shootout before both Young and Cole missed their spot-kicks to allow the Azzurri the victory.

The Arsenal forward came on as a second-half substitute and is confident that his international colleagues will come back stronger from the experience.

"It's a very cruel way to go out in any competition but someone was going to go out and luck did not go our way," said Walcott.

"The two Ashleys are strong enough lads to come back from this and the lads will be with them.

"They are two of the most experienced players in that dressing room and they will bounce back from this even better players. I do not worry about that at all."

Italy will now face Germany in the semi-finals of the tournament.