KYLE LOOKS LIKE HE’S RIGHT PICK FOR QATAR

IF there is one position in which Gareth Southgate has an embarrassment of riches, it is right-back.

And if fans were canvassed for their view on who should fill it, there is a good chance the vote would be split three or even four ways.

But with only three England matches between now and the start of Qatar 2022, it is clear which player is in the driving seat.

Two years ago, after flouting Covid rules, Kyle Walker feared his Three Lions career was in jeopardy.

And after being sent off against Iceland in September, 2020, the Manchester City star, 32 expressed exactly the same fears.

But, five months before the start of the World Cup, Southgate paid a glowing tribute to Walker (above, in training yesterday).

The England manager said: “Kyle isn’t captain of his club, but he’s such a man within the group, on the pitch, off the pitch.

“I think he’s matured a lot over the last two or three years. He’s won the league four times so he’s got confidence from what he’s done as a player. He’s been in a World Cup semifinal with us and a European final so he’s got a lot of big-match experience.

“He’s definitely one who I think has matured. He doesn’t have to be really vocal but shows it in his manner, his determination in the way he works.

“There was a chance that Germany had where

Kieran Trippier got up at the far post and defended it really well. But if you look at Walker, his desire to stop the cross, it means the guy’s got to loft it rather than just be able to whip it in.

“They are little things the majority of the stadium probably don’t give a second thought, but when you are looking at what wins football matches, they are the things.

“That hunger, that drive… he brings that and he brings that on the training pitch. Trippier is another like that. And the others have to get on board and make sure their standards are the same level.”

With their ages seemingly no problem – Trippier turns 32 in September – the two senior full-backs look certain to be included in Southgate’s World Cup squad.

And with the manager a huge fan of Reece James, that could cast doubt on Trent Alexander-Arnold getting a ticket to Qatar.

Meanwhile, Southgate (left) goes into tonight’s game against Hungary looking for a first win in four matches to nip some scepticism about England’s World Cup chances in the bud.

He added: “If we won, it would be a more enjoyable couple of months, but it won’t change how I view the next period.

“We all want to leave with a win and if we win, we’ve still got the chance to win this Nations Leagu) group.

“We also want to send the supporters home having seen a really good performance.

“But the noise, the criticism, will still be there because if we win, we’ll have ‘only beaten Hungary’ and so on. That’s the reality.

“If we don’t win, then… different story, of course.”