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Kyle Walker faces World Cup fitness race after groin surgery

06-Oct-2022 12:37:52 | The Guardian

• Manchester City defender’s chances of being fit rated as slim
• Absence would be blow to Gareth Southgate and England

Kyle Walker has undergone groin surgery, leaving the Manchester City defender facing World Cup heartbreak. The 32-year-old suffered the injury in Sunday’s 6-3 home win over Manchester United and, if it is a blow for his club, it stands to be an even bigger one for Gareth Southgate and England.

Southgate will name his 26-man squad for the finals in Qatar on 10 November, although the final Fifa deadline is 14 November, meaning he would have scope for late adjustments if problems were to arise in the Premier League games on 12-13 November – the last weekend before the domestic season pauses. England kick off in Qatar against Iran on 21 November.