Kyle Walker set to be named in England’s World Cup squad as Gareth Southgate gambles on defender’s fitness… but James Maddison and Fikayo Tomori are expecting bad news with Marcus Rashford and Ben White likely to get the nod

Kyle Walker is set to be included in Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad on Thursday after recovering sufficiently from groin surgery.

The Manchester City defender is vital to Southgate because he can play as a right back in a back four, or at centre back in a back three should the England manager want to switch formations.

Walker, 32, has not played since picking up a groin injury in City’s 6-3 victory over Manchester United at the start of last month. The full back’s return to fitness is a huge boost to Southgate ahead of England’s opener in Qatar against Iran a week on Monday.