England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Manchester City defender Kyle Walker will miss the Three Lions' opening World Cup match against Iran on Monday.
Walker, who has not featured for the Blues since limping off in the derby victory over Manchester United last month, has been training with his England teammates at the Al-Wakrah Sports Club base, but the game against Carlos Queiroz's side will come too soon for the 32-year-old.
The City right-back has missed the last six matches for Pep Guardiola's side, but was still included in the 26-man squad, with Walker expected to return towards the latter stages of the group phase. Southgate also confirmed that Leicester City midfielder James Maddison would be absent for the game on Monday through injury.
