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Man City veteran Walker defiant: No-one will retire me

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker admits he's surprised himself at the length of his career.

Walker is now 32 and still playing as a first-choice at City.

"You can't have an off day here," he said. "If you have an off day you get found out. If you get found out in training you don't play the game.

"I feel fantastic, if you said to me at 21 that I'd still be playing Premier League football at 32 — at the standard I'm playing at — I'd have probably said no. Was I living a little bit different to what I am now? One million per cent.

"I'm looking after myself the best I can. I feel healthy and fit, I still feel quick and sharp. I'm still eager to learn. Competition has made me better, made me adapt and probably study the game a little bit more."

In terms of England, he added: "When I'm ready to say I'm done, I'll say I'm done. I'm not letting someone else retire me, I'm going to let someone have a decision to make where you're going to have to pick me. 'If I'm in the squad, fantastic, to represent your country at a World Cup, not many people can say they've done that.

"I'll keep performing and hopefully I'm on the plane to Qatar. After each tournament you assess what you can do. There are people biting on my heels."

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