Kyle Walker confident Tottenham momentum will boost England but ignores Manchester City transfer talk

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Simon Johnson8 June 2017

Kyle Walker believes Tottenham's superb end to the season is going to help England triumph over the next week.

England take on Scotland in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday before playing a friendly against France three days later.

Five members of Gareth Southgate's squad - Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Kieran Trippier and Walker - were part of the Spurs outfit that won 13 of their last 15 matches.

Striker Kane ended the campaign with 11 goals from his last eight matches, while midfielder Alli struck 18 times in the final 31 appearances.

Walker told Standard Sport: "Of course England stand to gain from this. It is good to have a core group of Tottenham players here.

"With Harry and Dele scoring so many goals, they will carry that confidence into the games. It is only going to benefit England that they are going into this in great form.

"Hopefully they can continue in these last two games before we have a beak. It is one final push for them. I'd love them to get hat-tricks in both games.

"Obviously Tottenham players don't make up the whole side and we still need to gel as a team. But I think we have been doing that and need to do so again at the weekend."

Kane is expected to start up front and Walker is not sure how Scotland will be able to stop the Premier League's top scorer from finding the net.

He added: "Harry seemed to be scoring from every shot for Spurs by the end. He has been on fire and it is to his credit that he hasn't taken his foot off the gas.

"It could have been quite easy for him to relax and think 'I have had another good season, I don't need to do anymore'. But he is putting his foot down again."

Walker, who was increasingly dropped in favour of Trippier by Tottenham manager Maurico Pochettino toward the end of the season, is expected to complete a £40m move to Manchester City shortly after the international break.

City are prepared to increase the right back's salary to over £100,000-a-week.

Getty Images

Walker added: "Considering where I have come from in Sheffield, it (the price tag) is very flattering. But it's speculation and I'm here as an England player now. That is the most important thing.

"It is very easy to focus on England (and not be distracted by the transfer talk). It's a pleasure to play for England and I'm fully concentrated on that. It's a massive game on Saturday and we need the three points.

"Kieran and I have pushed each other to the levels we are at now. I wouldn't say I'm the first-choice right back, he keeps me on my toes. Whoever gets the nod, we have told each other privately that we wish each other well.

"We are friends, not rivals. I have been with him in the England Under-19 squad and we have bounced off each other since then. We both give each other praise and if there is any advice I can give him or vice versa, we do. That's what has made us better players."

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