3rd May, 2022 | 11:17am

Man City news: Medical expert names new Kyle Walker return date after U-turn

Man City star Kyle Walker could return from an ankle injury in time for the final two games of the season.

That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.

Walker, 31, has not featured in any of City’s last four matches and is not available to face Real Madrid in the Champions League tomorrow (4 May).

Pep Guardiola originally suggested that there was a slim chance the right-back might make the first leg against Real last Tuesday (26 April).

But as quoted by the Manchester Evening News last Friday (29 April), the manager revealed that Walker may now not play again this season.

Dinnery suggests that, if the England man does return, it will be for either the last league game of the campaign or the Champions League final.

“It’s a high ankle sprain,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.

“I wouldn’t categorically rule any player out, but the average return to play is around 35 to 40 days.

“Given what we know, he has an outside chance for the Champions League final or maybe the last game of the league season.

“But there are a lot of factors that come into play.

“Guardiola has said several times about Walker this season that he is progressing really well, but there has then been a 180 turnaround.

“Now, he says he doesn’t really know. They will just have to wait and see how it responds.

“But I would expect him to target game week 38 or the Champions League final.”

Walker’s 30 appearances this term have yielded one goal and two assists.

City have a one-goal advantage going into the clash in Madrid after the two sides’ stunning 4-3 at the Etihad last week.

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