Southgate confirms Walker and Maddison OUT of World Cup 2022 opener and hints Maguire and Sterling start vs Iran

GARETH SOUTHGATE has confirmed Kyle Walker and James Maddison will miss England’s World Cup opener against Iran on Monday.

And the Three Lions’ boss hinted that Harry Maguire and Raheem Sterling will start, despite their troubled club seasons.

Richard Pelham / The Sun

Manchester City right-back Walker is not yet ready after a groin operation and Leicester playmaker Maddison has yet to train properly in Qatar due to a knee injury.

Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Kyle Walker is a little bit short for this game but is progressing really well.

“We are ahead of where we thought he might be at this point.

“James [Maddison] hasn’t been able to train since we arrived so he will not be able to make the game tomorrow.”

Southgate also suggested the big-game know-how of Manchester United centre-back Maguire and Chelsea attacker Sterling remain important.

Maguire has rarely played in the Premier League this season under new United boss Erik ten Hag.

And Sterling’s summer switch from champions City has been far from move, including a spell as wing-back.

But Southgate said: “We have to consider so many things when you are selecting a team.

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“There’s the balance of the group. There’s definitely experience in these moments that’s key because not every player knows what it feels like to carry the England team.

“Sometimes you don’t know how people are going to respond to that until they are in there and some don’t cope.

“The likes of Raheem and Harry have thrived in that spotlight and they are used to being relied upon for their clubs as well.”