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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
John Cross

England a far cry from the golden generation as Kyle Walker gives fitness update

The players have been taking it in turns to do their media duties.

Up on Wednesday was Kyle Walker who spoke to the newspapers and also Jordan Pickford in front of the TV cameras.

The Football Association’s Media Centre is just over a mile from the team hotel in Al Wakrah and they have set up such a superb base for the World Cup.

There is a long held belief that the camp plays such a big part in how the team does at any tournament. A happy camp is a happy team.

And there can be no doubt the England players are in such good spirits as Walker and Pickford both spoke so well and with such colour.

There is clearly a genuinely happy mood around the place which goes beyond the platitudes and just saying the right things.

England have started well, they beat an Iran team which are 20th in the FIFA rankings which is above both Saudi Arabia and Japan who pulled off major shocks against Argentina and Germany respectively.

Walker is 32 but now looking forward to his second World Cup and is adamant that he is fit, having been training fully with the rest of the squad.

The Manchester City full back had groin surgery less than two months ago and has fought back brilliantly against the clock to get himself fit in time.

How far will England go in Qatar? Have your say in the comments section

Kyle Walker has been a key man for England over the years (The FA via Getty Images)

If England go further in this competition then it is fair to assume that Walker will play his part, particularly on the right of a back three where he is the best choice for that position.

England may now stick with a back four having played so well against Iran and got such an impressive result.

Gareth Southgate let the handbrake off and unleashed his attacking players - and is likely to try and do the same against United States.

Walker has been a good tourist, his determination is infectious but he also stressed just how important the feel good factor in the camp is for the players.

When asked about the training base and hotel, Walker said: “They have made it as homely as possible which is always a good thing when you are away, hopefully for a long period of time, little gestures like pictures of the family in your room, it means a lot, to make sure it is homely. We did that in Russia as well.

“We’ve got games consoles Yes - but the internet is not great! It is a little bit of a downfall. Listen, the lads have been the same group now for a long period and there's lots of bonds, you don’t feel uncomfortable with anyone.”

That tells its own story about the tightness among the players and is a far cry from the cliques of the Golden Generation.

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