CITY SPECIAL Walker returns for clash with Toffees

KYLE Walker is available to face Everton after missing City’s friendly in Girona.

The right-back was left out of the travelling squad for the Costa Brava trophy, which City lost 1-0, for personal reasons.

But Pep Guardiola revealed that he had been granted permission to stay behind because his partner is heavily pregnant.

Signed from Spurs in the summer, Walker has made an immediate impact at his new club and was man-of-thematch against Brighton on the opening weekend.

And the good news for City is that he will not be forced to miss Monday night’s home opener against Everton.

“His wife is pregnant, he is almost a father again,” said Guardiola.

“So that’s why he stayed here for the beautiful moment.”

Walker’s performance on his competitive debut for the club demonstrated why Guardiola was so keen sign him from Spurs, and it was no surprise that both goals originated from attacks down the right flank.

And the England international believes his game suits Guardiola’s philosophy perfectly.

“I think it’s just he likes to play attacking football that I like to play attractive, attacking football,” said Walker.

City are close to a full bill of health ahead of Everton’s visit, with just Benjamin Mendy, Ilkay Gundogan and Fabian Delph unavailable.