Walker handed England hope after international snub

Head coach Gareth Southgate insists Kyle Walker’s England career is not over despite the Manchester City right-back being left out of November’s squad. Southgate named his squad for the final Euro 2020 qualifiers on Thursday afternoon and for the third straight time he has decided to leave City defender Walker out of his plans.
The 29-year-old, who was forced to go in goal during Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Serie A outfit Atalanta, has come under criticism for his performances this season.
Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier and Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold have been named in the squad as the preferred options at right-back after their impressive form in La Liga and the Premier League respectively.
Having been left out for three squads now, doubts are starting to creep in over Walker’s future with the Three Lions, who only need a point from their final two qualifiers to qualify for Euro 2020.
When asked whether the City defender had played his last international game, Southgate said: “Absolutely not. We’ve been very pleased with the form of Kieran and Trent. (Trent’s) form for Liverpool has been really exceptional. It’s an area of the pitch where we’ve got high competition for places.”
Walker will be back in action on Sunday when City travel to Anfield to take on table-toppers Liverpool, who are six points clear of the Citizens after the first 11 games of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s men won the last league meeting between the two teams, winning 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in January in what proved to be a crucial victory in the race for the title.