Kyle Walker 'WILL be included in provisional England World Cup squad'

Kyle Walker ‘WILL be included in England’s provisional World Cup squad and is likely to head to Qatar even if he misses opener vs Iran’ – with Gareth Southgate ready to gamble on the injured Man City defender like he did with Harry Maguire at Euro 2020

  • Kyle Walker picked up a groin injury in Man City’s recent 6-3 win over Man United
  • The 32-year-old then underwent surgery on the problem earlier this month
  • It has cast doubt over his chances of featuring at the World Cup later this year
  • But reports suggest Gareth Southgate is ready to gamble on Walker’s fitness
  • He will be included in England’s provisional squad despite currently being out 
  • Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates

England boss Gareth Southgate is ready to gamble on Kyle Walker’s fitness at the World Cup despite the Manchester City defender recently undergoing surgery.

Walker sustained a groin injury in City’s 6-3 win over neighbours Manchester United earlier this month, casting doubt over his chances of featuring in Qatar.

Yet according to The Sun, Southgate is still set to include him in his provisional squad for the tournament, which begins for them on November 21 against Iran.

England boss Gareth Southgate is ready to gamble on the fitness of Kyle Walker (pictured)

Walker underwent surgery after picking up a groin injury in Man City’s 6-3 win over Man United

And even if he fails to recover in time for their opening fixture, Walker will likely head to Qatar should he be close to fitness by the time the final 26-man squad is named on November 10.

The 32-year-old will step up his recovery from surgery at City next week, although he is not expected to feature for them before the World Cup break.

Pep Guardiola’s side face Brentford in their final outing prior to the break on November 12, which could come too soon for Walker.

Nevertheless, Southgate is prepared to roll the dice on his fitness – especially given fellow right-back Reece James looks likely to miss the tournament with a knee injury.

But Southgate is still expected to include the City defender in his provisional squad this week

He took a similar gamble at Euro 2020 with Harry Maguire, who helped them reach the final

Walker also fancies his chances of recovering in time for the tournament in Qatar this year

The Three Lions boss took a similar gamble with at Euro 2020 with Harry Maguire, who played a crucial role in their run to a first major final since 1966 despite missing Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat against Villarreal the month prior with an ankle injury.

Walker, too, is confident of recovering in time to make it to Qatar, saying on BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘My first thought now is getting back for England.

‘I’m confident. I’ve been through enough in my career to know my body. I’m well above what they thought I’d be able to do at this point.

‘I just feel I can do this. I am going to have to be patient with it. There will be bumps in the road but hopefully, come the selection, I’m included.’

Should he miss the Iran clash as expected, Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier could get the nod at right-back in England’s curtain raiser, while Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is also in contention.

Alexander-Arnold’s Reds team-mate Joe Gomez is also capable of operating in the position should Southgate require backup. 

After taking on Iran, England face USA four days later before a crunch clash with neighbours Wales comes on November 29. 




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