Kyle Walker hopes to be ready in time for World Cup after groin surgery

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By Martin Graham | 15th Oct 2022

Kyle Walker is currently on the sidelines after groin surgery. The Manchester City full-back is optimistic that he will recover in time to make the World Cup squad.

There is an increase in crescendo in talks about the World Cup. The tournament, which comes up every four years, is barely a month away, and participants are taking stock of their personnel ahead of the Mundial. England have a few concerns ahead of the tournament.

Players are at a stage when they are concerned about staying fit till the World Cup starts, but England is seeing their players fall to injury at an alarming rate. A few weeks ago, the Three Lions had the problem of which players at right back to take to the World. The Three Lions have many options, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Ben White in contention for the starting berth.

Injuries have taken their toll on the players, with Trent-Arnold, Kyle Walker and Reece James bowing to injuries. With doubts over who claims the starting berth at the World Cup, Kyle Walker is upbeat about his chances of recovering in time for the World Cup.

Walker fancies his chances of being available for the Mundial

Kyle Walker was almost a bet to miss the World Cup, but things may be looking up for Manchester City right back. The tough-tackling defender says he is ahead of schedule in his recovery. The prognosis is looking up for him, and he is confident of winning the fitness race ahead of the World following his surgery.

In the 6-3 demolition job over Manchester united on October 2, Kyle Walker came off in the first half with an injury. The City right-back underwent a groin injury last week, with the initial prognosis suggesting a lengthy period on the sidelines.

The World Cup starts on November 20, about six weeks away, and Kyle Walker is in a tight race to make a return before the start of the Mundial. Walker told BBC Radio 5 Live that he was confident he would win the race to be fit ahead of the World Cup.

Thoughts on Walker making the World Cup

Walker believes he would be ready for the World Cup. In a chat with BBC Radio 5 Live, he said he has been through a lot in his career and understands his body well. Walker said he has to be patient with his body following the surgery.

Walker acknowledges that it is not a smooth road and there will be bumps on the way, but he hopes he makes the shortlist for Qatar. He continued that he was feeling better than expected and coming along nicely. The 32-year-old added that it is frustrating, and anyone who understands the game will say being injured is the worst thing for a footballer.

Walker said he spoke with England boss Gareth Southgate the day after the operation and acknowledged that he pushed to have the surgery as quickly as possible.

With Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold also currently nursing injuries, Southgate has a massive headache filling the position well. He hopes the injuries to James and Alexander-Arnold are not as bad as projected.