Manchester City have confirmed that Kyle Walker has undergone surgery on a groin injury he suffered in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
The 32-year-old was taken off during the first-half of City's 6-3 win over Manchester United with Walker going under the knife on Tuesday to fix the groin issue he sustained. It could prove to be a huge blow for City and England with Walker reportedly now facing a race to be fit for the World Cup in November.
Walker missed City's 5-0 rout against Copenhagen on Wednesday evening with Sergio Gomez coming into the side at left-back as Joao Cancelo moved over to the opposite flank. City confirmed the injury in a club statement and revealed the "surgery was successful and a more detailed prognosis will be provided in due course".
After undergoing surgery on the injury, Walker admitted he will now concentrate on the rehab and is determined to get back to full fitness as soon as possible. He told Twitter : "As players we have to appreciate injuries are part and parcel of the game we love.
"My operation on Tuesday was a success and now I can concentrate on my rehab and getting back to full fitness. I will be supporting my team mates every day in any way I can. Once again thankyou for all your kind messages."
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His chances of making the England squad ahead of their first game vs Iran in six-and-a-half weeks will depend on his recovery after the surgery. City face Southampton, Liverpool, Brighton, Leicester, Fulham and Brentford in the Premier League before the World Cup, plus Champions League fixtures with Copenhagen, Dortmund and Sevilla. They also face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
Walker joins Kalvin Phillips in being a major doubt for the World Cup after the midfielder had surgery on a shoulder injury last month, while John Stones remains out for at least another week with a hamstring injury he picked up during the international break. The latter limped off in the Three Lions' 3-3 draw with Germany last month.
Gareth Southgate is expected to name his 26-man squad for Qatar on October 20, which will be well before FIFA's deadline of Sunday November 13. This gives Southgate time to reassess his contingent and change it if more injuries occur before the tournament.
England face Iran in their opening World Cup group game on November 21 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha - the same venue where Germany begin their Qatar campaign as they face Japan on November 23. The Three Lions will also face USA and Wales in their group
