Should Kyle Walker start for England following injury problems?

Kyle Walker has been named in England’s starting line-up for their crucial Nations League fixture away to Italy this evening.

The right-back is likely to either feature in a three-man central defence with Eric Dier and Harry Maguire or will fill in at right wing-back, with Reece James also capable of filling that role as a centre-back in a three.

Phil Foden also features in England’s starting XI with Jack Grealish on the bench and John Stones unavailable through suspension.

There had been silenced questions regarding Walker’s selection in the squad given that he has not played a game since 3 September after he sustained an injury in the draw away to Aston Villa.

He was named on the bench against Wolves but failed to come on to possibly raise further questions regarding his fitness ahead of the international break.

The extent and diagnosis of the injury were never revealed by Pep Guardiola, however the Spaniard also maintained he will be available for selection after the international break. Given Walker’s speed is integral to his defending, any muscular injury may cause a reoccurrence while with England, and further give a headache to Pep as he works with a small squad and 23 players away on international duty.

Want your voice heard? Join the Man City Square team!

Write for us!

Now for us City fans, a chance for Walker to remain at home to rest and fully recover is the preferred option but should the former Tottenham defender be fully fit, it presents a good opportunity to restore some match fitness.

He trained with City and England fully this week, so maybe it is my over-cautious attitude kicking into overdrive when seeing him feature for the Three Lions at the San Siro this evening.

The answer to the question then should be yes, as England are not going to risk a first teamer prior to the World Cup if he was not fully-fit.

There will be no one banging down Gareth Southgate’s door at St George’s Square but a certain amount of heat coming from the blue half of Manchester if he was to suffer an injury through a lack of due care.

Let’s just hope with our abundance in the full-back department that both Walker and Joao Cancelo are fighting fit for the Manchester derby on return.