Kyle Walker doubt for World Cup after operation on groin

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Kyle Walker of Manchester City receives medical attention during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
By Jack Pitt-Brooke and Sam Lee
Oct 6, 2022

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Kyle Walker has undergone surgery on a groin injury and is now a doubt for England’s 2022 World Cup campaign.

Walker, 32, missed Manchester City’s 5-0 Champions League victory over Copenhagen on Wednesday night, after sustaining an injury in the club’s 6-3 win against United on Sunday.

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Speaking after City’s European win, Pep Guardiola said: “Kyle will be out a while, weeks. Hopefully, he can go to the World Cup, like Kalvin (Phillips), because I know how important it is for the players.”

It is understood that Walker has now undergone surgery, however, throwing his World Cup participation into doubt. There is a hope at City that he will be able to play at the tournament, depending on how his recovery in the initial stages after surgery goes.

The veteran defender has been a regular for Gareth Southgate in recent years and was a crucial part of the team that made it to the final four of the 2018 World Cup and the Euro 2020 final.

City have provided no timeframe on Walker’s potential return but England begin their campaign on November 21 against Iran, which is only 46 days away.

Southgate is required to submit his 26-man squad to FIFA by November 13 — leaving Walker with previous little time to recover from going under the knife and to regain his match fitness.

Manchester City said in a statement: “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.”

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(Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)