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Kyle Walker could MISS World Cup with injury, Guardiola doesn't know when he will return

Kyle Walker could MISS World Cup with injury, Guardiola doesn't know when he will return

Man City's Kyle Walker could miss the World Cup following an injury suffered in the Manchester Derby this weekend, Pep Guardiola reveals.

Kyle Walker could miss the World Cup as the England and Manchester City defender faces a spell on the sidelines, as confirmed by manager Pep Guardiola.

Walker missed Wednesday night's routine Champions League win over FC Copenhagen with a reported abdominal injury.

However, it's been reported that the right-back had undergone surgery earlier this week and is now a major doubt for the World Cup in Qatar this winter.

City manager Guardiola had revealed last night 'It's something abdominal and he will be a while out,' Guardiola said. 'I don't know (how long). I cannot say anything else.'

He had limped off in the 41st minute against Manchester United during the 6-3 thrashing of their city rivals at the weekend with what was a suspected abdominal issue.

Guardiola also said 'Kyle will be out for a bit. We have to speak to the doctors. Hopefully he can get (back for the World Cup) like Kalvin (Phillips). I know how important the World Cup is for the players but honestly I don't know right now.'

Reports claim that the surgery was a success but now the attention turns to his recovery and whether he can regain full match fitness before the World Cup begins next month.

Walker has become a key part of the England set-up and has been utilised as a right centre-back in Gareth Southgate's favoured 3-4-3 formation.


For Southgate, luckily he can call on England's incredible strength in depth in the right-back position with the likes of Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold all ready to step in.

The England manager had recently claimed that Liverpool's star right-back was the fourth choice option behind Trippier as he claimed the Newcastle man's 'all-round game' is currently better.

However, the 23-year-old responded in fine fashion on Tuesday night in the Champions League with a clean sheet and a stunning free-kick as the Reds triumphed 2-0 over Rangers.

James also produced a top class performance in Chelsea's 3-0 dominant over AC Milan last night as he produced a goal and an assist which he hopes will catch the eye of Southgate.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy, Instagram

Topics: Kyle Walker, England, Pep Guardiola, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Kieran Trippier