England suffer ANOTHER right back blow with Walker-Peters a huge doubt

England suffer ANOTHER blow at right-back with Kyle Walker-Peters a doubt for the World Cup after picking up a ‘long-term’ hamstring injury… with Reece James and Kyle Walker already in danger of missing out

  • Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters is a World Cup doubt in a blow for England 
  • It adds to injury worries over Kyle Walker and Reece James ahead of Qatar 
  • Walker-Peters’ hamstring injury has been described as a ‘long term’ issue 

Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters is a major doubt for England’s World Cup squad after being ruled out for the ‘long term’ with a hamstring issue.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate already has significant issues at right-back due to injuries suffered by Chelsea’s Reece James and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker.

Walker-Peters made his international debut against Switzerland in March and has two caps but was not included in Southgate’s more recent squads.

Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters is a doubt for the World Cup with a hamstring injury

The 25-year-old was forced off in the second half of Saints’ 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Wednesday evening.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl told a press conference: ‘We have another big injury.

‘Kyle will be out for the long term. It’s a hamstring injury. We will see how long.’

England begin their World Cup campaign against Iran in a month’s time.

Walker and James are battling to be fit for the tournament in Qatar, while Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has struggled for game time under Southgate, has returned to action following his injury scare.

‘I think for every player who has a chance for the World Cup, now is a very, very tough time,’ said Hasenhuttl.

The former Tottenham right back was forced off in Southampton’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth

‘You have to play Premier League games, maybe Champions League games, on a very intense, high level and know that in the short term there is coming one of the biggest things for the players, the World Cup.

‘This is a little bit different to other situations where you’re maybe at the end of the season in the summer and (thinking), ‘let’s run it out a little bit and concentrate on the World Cup’.

‘Now they have to push hard, that is the reason why maybe we have a strange situation that a lot of players are then maybe missing the World Cup.’

Southampton host leaders Arsenal on Sunday after easing pressure on under-fire boss Hasenhuttl by ending a five-game winless run with the narrow midweek success at Vitality Stadium.

England already have worries at right-back – Chelsea star Reece James has a more serious knee ligament problem with a less likely chance

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker (pictured) is currently recovering from a groin injury

While that victory came at a cost with the loss of Walker-Peters, Saints have been boosted by Romeo Lavia’s return to training.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been absent since picking up a hamstring problem after opening the scoring in his club’s 2-1 win over Chelsea in August.

However, the Belgium Under-21 international may not be ready to return against Mikel Arteta’s in-form Gunners.

‘Romeo is back in training but after a long time out it will take time,’ said Hasenhuttl.

‘It’s good to see him back training with the team.’




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