One to Watch - Kyle Walker

Name: Kyle Walker

Date of Birth: 28/5/1990

Nationality: England

Former Clubs: Sheffield United, Northampton Town, QPR, Aston Villa

League Appearances (Goals): 82 (2)

International Appearances (Goals): 0 (0)

Whilst not many will agree with the majority of eternally deluded Spurs fans believing they now have a divine right to finish fourth every season, Gareth Bale shouldn`t be sold for less than £60 million and the club is too big for the Europa League; QPR and Tottenham fans will surely agree on one thing - the North London club possesses one of the most exciting right-backs in the country. Kyle Walker is certainly no stranger to the Loftus Road faithful and QPR will be more than aware of the flying full-back`s attacking prowess.

Walker was a breath of fresh air to a limited QPR defence for the 6 months he spent on loan at Loftus Road last season, working tirelessly up the right flank linking effortlessly with Taarabt and providing another valuable dimension to the Championship winning side. Admittedly for all Walker`s attacking abilities, his defensive duties sometimes go missing and once or twice the 21-year-old has been caught out trying something extravagant in his team`s defensive third. It will be nice to see how far the defender has progressed since his time spent in W12; however one or two lapses in defensive concentration would not be begrudged.

Playing Career

Walker joined boyhood club Sheffield United at the age of seven, impressing club officials whilst working his way up through the youth system at Bramall Lane, becoming a permanent fixture in the reserve squad by the time he was 18. In November 2008 he was allowed to join League One side Northampton Town for a month's loan to gain first team experience making his debut on 15 November 2008 in a defeat at the hands of Oldham. His one month loan was later extended into January and he eventually returned to Bramall Lane having played nine games for the Cobblers.

Walker made seven appearances for Kevin Blackwell's side all in all during the 2008/2009 season, becoming the youngest player ever to represent Sheffield United at Wembley in their play-off final defeat against Burnley in May 2009. In July 2009, Walker left Sheffield United to join Tottenham Hotspur along with fellow defender Kyle Naughton for a combined fee of £9m, and was loaned back to the Yorkshire club for the duration of the 2009/2010 season as part of the deal.

Walker joined QPR on loan for the beginning of the 2010/2011 season, making 20 league appearances and becoming a fans favourite with a string of man of the match performances. The pacy defender returned to Spurs in January before being loaned out to Premier League side Aston Villa, scoring two goals in 18 appearances in all competitions. With much speculation as to whether Walker would be allowed to be sent out on loan again, with QPR an interested party, Harry Redknapp declared the defensive maestro would not be leaving White Hart Lane and has subsequently been ever-present for Spurs this season.

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