Posted: 21:10, November 8, 2022 | Updated: 10:31, November 9, 2022
Jamie Carragher has revealed he would take Kyle Walker and Calvin Phillips to the World Cup despite fitness concerns surrounding the Manchester City duo, but would not risk Chelsea’s Rhys James. Gareth Southgate is set to name his 26-man squad for Qatar on Thursday and has plenty of headaches to think about before making his final decision. Carragher, who featured in two World Cups with the Three Lions in 2006 and 2010, has named the players he would take if he was in charge and has paired Walker and Phillips in his squad. Jamie Carragher names the 26 England players he would take to the World Cup Carragher has said he would sign Kyle Walker, despite the defender being out of action He also said he would opt for Calvin Phillips, who has barely played for Manchester City this season Walker has been out of action since early October after undergoing groin surgery following City’s 6-3 derby win against Manchester United. Meanwhile, Phillips has been sidelined for even longer, having not played for Pep Guardiola’s side since mid-September due to a shoulder problem. Guardiola recently said the pair are optimistic they will be fit for Qatar and Phillips gave a positive update on his condition on Monday, saying “everything is going great” with his rehabilitation. The midfielder hopes to get some game time when City face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Walker and Phillips played key roles in England’s run to the Euro finals last year and Carragher believes it’s worth picking them. However, he has not found a place in his squad for James, who also faces a race against time to qualify for Qatar after picking up a knee injury last month. He was initially ruled out for eight weeks, which would have kept him out until the latter stages of the competition, although his recovery is understood to be ahead of schedule. Carragher would not take Reece James to Qatar as defender battles back from injury Carragher would still leave the defender at home, however, with the Liverpool legend picking Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier as his three options to fill the right-back spot. Other notable absences from Carragher’s squad include set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse and Newcastle’s Callum Wilson. Wilson has scored six goals in 10 league games for the Magpies this season but has not featured for England in three years. Carragher would like to see Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham and Marcus Rashford selected as back-up options for England captain Harry Kane and confirmed he would take in-form playmaker James Maddison.
