England worked with Manchester City to guarantee there was no risk on the fitness of star duo

England worked in unison with Man City to guarantee there was no risk to fitness of Three Lions stars Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips ahead of Gareth Southgate picking his final World Cup Squad

  • England sent physios to Manchester City in the weeks before the World Cup 
  • The Three Lions want to assess the fitness of Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips 
  • Gareth Southgate kept in contact with City boss Pep Guardiola over the duo 
  • Both players appeared for England during the 3-0 win over Wales on Tuesday  

England regularly sent physios to Manchester City in the weeks before the World Cup to assist with expediting Kyle Walker’s return to full fitness.

Walker and team-mate Kalvin Phillips both suffered serious injuries and underwent surgery in the months running up to Qatar and were considered major doubts to make the tournament.

City and the FA worked in conjunction to make sure the two players would become available as quickly as possible, with Walker’s recovery from groin surgery considered particularly fast.

Phillips has played very little football for City

England sent regular physios to check on the fitness of both Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips 

The FA medical team were welcomed into City’s training ground to monitor the progress of the pair before Gareth Southgate named his 26-man squad, with similar practices used for players at other clubs across the country.

Southgate remained in contact with City manager Pep Guardiola while the England boss deliberated his squad. But the respective medical departments took charge by liaising around programmes and detailed reports during the rehabilitation process in a sign that clubs and the national side can work in harmony.

Phillips, who came back from a shoulder problem in the Carabao Cup victory against Chelsea three weeks ago, was afforded 32 minutes off the bench during Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Wales.

After battling back from a ruptured groin, right back Walker returned to competitive action for the first time since early October with a start in the final group game and impressed during a performance that lasted just under an hour.

Gareth Southgate remained in contact with Pep Guardiola when deciding his England squad

Gareth Southgate remained in contact with Pep Guardiola when deciding his England squad 

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