'Disappointed' Man City star Kyle Walker speaks out after being axed by new England boss Lee Carsley for Nations League fixtures

Carsley, stepping into the England manager's role after Southgate’s departure, named his first England squad last week. The selection marked a fresh start for the national team, with several notable changes made under Carsley’s management. One of the most significant absentees from the squad was the experienced Walker, a player who had been a key figure during Southgate’s tenure, including England’s recent Euro 2024 campaign.

Carsley introduced four newcomers to the team: Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Noni Madueke. Livramento and Trent Alexander-Arnold, alongside Walker’s Manchester City teammate Rico Lewis, will compete for the right-back position as the 34-year-old defender faces an uphill task in making a comeback into the international fold.

Although crestfallen, Walker admitted that Carsley’s decision to leave him out of the squad for these upcoming matches is justified, given his current lack of playing time for Manchester City this season.

"I’m disappointed," Walker acknowledged. "You have to accept it and just try to prove them wrong. With a new manager, you are always expecting a few changes. I'm disappointed because to represent your country is always the highest thing. But I haven't played any minutes this season so you have to take it on the chin. I've not performed at any level since coming back from the (Euro), so I think it's the right call from him."

When explaining his squad selection for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, Carsley highlighted Walker’s lack of minutes as a key reason for his omission.

"I wanted to put a mark on the squad," Carsley said. "Kyle hasn’t played this season. City are phasing him in gently and we have to respect that."

Walker will look to make the most of the international break and work on his fitness, so that he can reclaim his spot from Lewis at the Etihad when Manchester City return to action in the Premier League on September 14.