Pep backs Walker after England snub

KYLE Walker may have missed out on England selection this week but can expect to start for Manchester City against Brighton today after Pep Guardiola gave the defender his full backing.

Gareth Southgate has favoured youth for England’s upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo, selecting Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold instead, but Guardiola has no concerns that Walker will be affected by the Guardiola admitted he was “a little bit” surprised by the decision, but added: “I’m not involved. We respect the decision. I think Kyle is coming back and is stronger.

“But the decision, of course I understand it and we support the manager of the national team, Gareth, and of course Kyle.

“I’m sure the players want to go to the national team and play but this happens, so you adapt.”

Walker also faces competition at club level following the signing of Joao Cancelo, who made his debut as a substitute last week, but Guardiola hinted he remains first-choice for now with the Portuguese still settling in.

“There are many things Kyle knows completely and Joao is starting to understand what to do,” he said.

• MANCHESTER United defender Chris Smalling has travelled to Italy to finalise a loan move to Serie A side Roma, says boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Premier League club have reportedly agreed a season-long deal with Roma paying a fee of £2.7m.

“This opportunity for Chris has come up in the last couple of days,” said Solskjaer. “We’ve got six fit centre-backs. I couldn’t promise him regular football.”