Gareth Southgate makes Kyle Walker admission in injury update

  • Walker captained England in Saturday's international friendly defeat to Brazil
  • However, he was substituted in the 20th minute with an injury
  • Ezri Konsa filled in at right-back with Southgate already without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Kieran Trippier

Walker was substituted in the 20th minute against Brazil
Walker was substituted in the 20th minute against Brazil / Marc Atkins/GettyImages
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Gareth Southgate says England and Manchester City will have to wait to discover the severity of Kyle Walker's injury suffered in Saturday night's defeat to Brazil.

Walker captained the Three Lions at Wembley but saw his evening come to a premature end shortly after a race with Vinicius Junior which saw the right-back clear a goal-bound but weak shot from the Real Madrid winger.

The 33-year-old received treatment and came back on but lasted little longer and was eventually replaced by Ezri Konsa in the 20th minute, with England going on to lose 1-0.

Southgate said: "We don't know yet, he's feeling something. He's not a player who's been injured very often so he's not quite certain what it is. So we just have to assess it over the next couple of days."

The potential injury will be a big worry for Man City boss Pep Guardiola, with his side set to take on Premier League title rivals Arsenal on Sunday in their first match after the March international break.

Walker himself admitted his disappointment at his early withdrawal, posting on social media: "Frustrating to come off injured in last night's game especially when captaining the side.

"A truly great honour. Hopefully it's nothing too serious and I'm back ASAP."


Kyle Walker, Ezri Konsa
Walker had to be replaced / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Konsa filled in at right-back, a position he has appeared in frequently under Unai Emery at Aston Villa, while Joe Gomez made his return to the international stage as a second-half substitute. Right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Kieran Trippier are all absent from the squad due to fitness issues.

England were already without captain Harry Kane and star winger Bukayo Saka due to injury as the Three Lions struggled to break through against their South American opposition on Saturday night.

An understrength Brazil showed enough threat to justify their 1-0 victory which was earned late on as 17-year-old substitute Endrick finished on the rebound in the 80th minute.


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