Pep Guardiola cannot guarantee England star Kyle Walker will be fit for the World Cup

Jonathan Gorrie5 October 2022

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could not guarantee England defender Kyle Walker would be fit for the World Cup.

Walker missed City’s 5-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night with an abdominal injury, and afterwards Guardiola said he was unable to put a timespan on how long he will be out for, with only six weeks until the start of the World Cup.

The 32-year-old forms an important part of Gareth Southgate’s defence, reverting to a more central position in a back three and played a key role towards England’s deep runs at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.

"It’s something abdominal and he will be a while out," Guardiola said. "I don’t know (how long). I cannot say anything else.

"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."

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