MANCHESTER CITY RIGHT-BACK KYLE WALKER HAS SURGERY, COULD POTENTIALLY MISS WORLD CUP IN QATAR
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has undergone successful surgery on a groin injury and is expected to be out for an extended period of time, the club confirmed recently.
The England international was forced off the field during the Manchester derby with what appeared to be a groin injury and is expected to be out for up to 6 weeks. Walker is still hopeful of being fit for the World Cup in November but his availability for Gareth Southgate’s side will depend on how his body reacts to the operation. Medics have, however, said before that the 32-year-old is usually a quick healer. The decision to have an operation is reported to have been deemed necessary due to Walker’s style of play.
A statement from the Manchester City website read: “Kyle Walker has undergone surgery after suffering a groin injury to his left leg during the first half of our 6-3 win over Manchester United on Sunday. The surgery was successful and a more detailed prognosis will be provided in due course. Everyone at Manchester City wishes Kyle a speedy recovery.”
City boss Pep Guardiola said he didn’t know if Kyle Walker would be fit to play in Qatar following the injury. “I don’t know. I cannot say,” said Guardiola. “I cannot say anything else. I don’t know. Kyle will be out for a little bit and we’ll see the statement and the doctors we’ll speak to them. 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.”
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips had surgery over the international break on a recurring shoulder issue and is set to miss at least a few more weeks of football. Phillips helped guide England to the European final in EURO 2020 last year and is an important piece to Southgate’s side and system of play. The 26-year-old is also in a race against time and hopeful of getting a call up with the team in November.
City’s Kyle Walker is an integral part of the England team and has won 70 caps for his country. The former Spurs man has predominantly featured in a back three under Gareth Southgate, playing as the right centre back. If Walker isn’t fit to play, Southgate will have to call up some modern centre backs with pace to replace the speedy defender. Among the possible replacements for the former PFA Young Player of the Year include Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, Chelsea’s Trevor Chalobah, Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, and AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori.
Walker said in a tweet on Thursday: “As players we have to appreciate injuries are part and parcel of the game we love. My operation on Tuesday was a success and now I can concentrate on my rehab and getting back to full fitness. I will be supporting my team mates every day in any way I can.”
While he remains hopeful to return just in time for the tournament, Walker will not be match-fit by the time England play their opener against Iran on November 21 slimming the chances of the 32-year-old featuring at the tournament altogether.
   England’s manager Gareth Southgate will name his 26-man squad on October 21 with Walker expected to be included before a late decision is made on whether to replace the Sheffield-born right back.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Brad Tutterow. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.