Wednesday 7 June 2017 13:32, UK
Kyle Walker insists he is enjoying his friendly rivalry with Tottenham team-mate Kieran Trippier, even now it has spilled over into the England set-up.
Both right-backs are in Gareth Southgate's squad for Saturday's World Cup Qualifier against Scotland and competing to be first-choice after being rotated by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season.
Sky Sports News HQ understands that Manchester City are hoping to exploit Walker's diminished amount of games and are confident of signing him from Tottenham in the coming weeks.
But Walker has told Sky Sports News HQ he is not thinking about his future at the moment.
He said: "(It's not a distraction) - not at all. Coming away from club football gives you head space. I'm an England player now and we've got to concentrate on these games.
"(The rivalry) has pushed us both on as players, most definitely. We get the best out of each other. Even if Trips plays, or I play, we've said privately to each other than we'll will each other on.
"I don't ever say a bad word or wish bad on him because it's more about the team rather than individual performances. We're putting on our England shirts now and I'm sure, whoever gets the nod, the other will be behind him.
"I've known Trip since U19s. We had a tournament with England in Ukraine. I played centre-half and he played right-back I believe, and it was a friendly rivalry. We're two northern boys down south and we bounce off each other. We get on really well."
