Kyle Walker could MISS World Cup with injury, Guardiola doesn't know when he will return

Kyle Walker could miss the World Cup as the England and Manchester City defender faces a spell on the sidelines, as confirmed by manager Pep Guardiola.

Walker missed Wednesday night's routine Champions League win over FC Copenhagen with a reported abdominal injury.

However, it's been reported that the right-back had undergone surgery earlier this week and is now a major doubt for the World Cup in Qatar this winter.

City manager Guardiola had revealed last night 'It's something abdominal and he will be a while out,' Guardiola said. 'I don't know (how long). I cannot say anything else.'

He had limped off in the 41st minute against Manchester United during the 6-3 thrashing of their city rivals at the weekend with what was a suspected abdominal issue.

Guardiola also said 'Kyle will be out for a bit. We have to speak to the doctors. Hopefully he can get (back for the World Cup) like Kalvin (Phillips). I know how important the World Cup is for the players but honestly I don't know right now.'

Reports claim that the surgery was a success but now the attention turns to his recovery and whether he can regain full match fitness before the World Cup begins next month.

Walker has become a key part of the England set-up and has been utilised as a right centre-back in Gareth Southgate's favoured 3-4-3 formation.

For Southgate, luckily he can call on England's incredible strength in depth in the right-back position with the likes of Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold all ready to step in.

The England manager had recently claimed that Liverpool's star right-back was the fourth choice option behind Trippier as he claimed the Newcastle man's 'all-round game' is currently better.

However, the 23-year-old responded in fine fashion on Tuesday night in the Champions League with a clean sheet and a stunning free-kick as the Reds triumphed 2-0 over Rangers.

James also produced a top class performance in Chelsea's 3-0 dominant over AC Milan last night as he produced a goal and an assist which he hopes will catch the eye of Southgate.