Lee Carsley explains why Manchester City’s Kyle Walker has returned to the England squad | OneFootball

Kyle Walker’s international career with Lee Carsley and England now appears to be back on track following a brief omission from the group in September.

The 33-year-old endured a slow start to the ongoing season but has since taken on somewhat of a resurgence under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, taking on increased game time correlating with the intensifying schedule at the club.

Following a delayed return to the Etihad Stadium following the summer’s European Championship journey with England in Germany, Rico Lewis was handed a clear run at the starting right-back role at Manchester City and has not disappointed.

Having gone from strength to strength at both right-back and defensive midfield, whilst also operating in an attacking role in some matches, Lewis’ development and performances have made him somewhat undroppable at present.

However, Kyle Walker has worked above and beyond to put himself back into the thinking of Pep Guardiola, and that has seemingly reflected at international level too, making a return to the Three Lions squad following an absence last month.

Speaking in light of his latest squad announcement ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixture in October, England interim manager Lee Carsley has explained the decision to bring Walker back into the group.

“I said before the last squad announcement that he hadn’t played for Man City but he’s a player we’re looking forward to having back,” Carsley told the media this week.

“I’ve never worked with him but I know what he’s done in the past with England and he’s a player we think can help the young players as well.”

During the last international break, and whilst not representing England’s senior men’s team, Walker spent time with Manchester City’s Academy to maintain and improve match fitness, playing a friendly match against non-league side Buxton FC.

“If you need minutes in the legs, pass on experience to the youth, why not? No-one is bigger than a game,” Walker said of the experience. “A game is putting minutes in legs, getting rhythm. If the club captain can do it, hopefully some of the first-team lads ask and can play.”

The recently re-elected Manchester City club captain insisted that he felt it could be a lesson to those around him needing to maintain and improve match sharpness, encouraging teammates to feature as much as they can during international breaks.