Journalist shares fresh verdict on Kyle Walker-Peters' chances of going to the World Cup

Journalist Tom Barclay has played down Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters’ chances of going to the World Cup.

A host of injuries to full-backs in Gareth Southgate’s squad saw him receive his first call up to the England seniors earlier this week for the upcoming games against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.

However, the majority of Southgate’s best full-backs were either not called up or withdrew from the squad, which is why Barclay reckons that a spot on the plane to Qatar might be a stretch too far.

Despite a number of withdrawals essentially leading to the 24-year-old’s big moment, his form this season has been deserving of a place on the international stage.

While establishing himself as a regular starter this term has been no easy task due to the form of Tino Livramento at right-back, Walker-Peters’ versatility has allowed him to start 20 of the Saints’ 29 Premier League games.

And according to WhoScored, only James Ward-Prowse, who’s also in the current Three Lions squad, is outperforming the former Tottenham defender’s 6.96 average rating.

Walker-Peters has chipped in with one goal, a stunner against Manchester City, and two assist in the league, while he also scored a crucial extra-time winner against Coventry in the FA Cup.

However, with England boasting an array of talented full-backs, Barclay doesn’t expect him to go to the showpiece in December.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s a bit like Ward-Prowse, when everyone is fit, if you’re talking about the World Cup squad, you might take Ward-Prowse, but I can’t see Walker-Peters being in the picture for the World Cup if everyone is fit.”

Do Chelsea fans want the impossible?!? Fallout from Ricketts controversy on The Football Terrace…

Walker-Peters might have been in