Besiktas vs Tottenham: Kyle Walker ready to make his long-awaited return after nine-months out with hip injury

Walker has not played for Spurs since March and was forced to miss the summer World Cup before having surgery to correct the injury

Tottenham defender Kyle Walker (Getty Images)

It has not been an easy 2014 for Kyle Walker. The Tottenham right-back has missed nine months with an abdominal injury, ruling him out of Roy Hodgson’s squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

“It was definitely my lowest point,” said Walker, who will return to first-team football in Spurs’ Europa League game with Besiktas tonight. “I’ve not exactly had the best of luck with major tournaments. I missed Euro 2012 with a broken toe and then obviously the World Cup. So I’ve never really had the chance to show people what I can do on the big international scene.”

Walker last played for Spurs in March, when Tim Sherwood was still in charge. Now, Mauricio Pochettino is manager, and Walker is prepared to fight for his place all over again. He has spent the last nine months watching football, learning about the game and his role, and hopes that he is a better player than ever.

“I am viewed as an attacking right back so I have looked closely at my defending to see where it could be improved,” Walker said, admitting that his positional play could do with some work. “I just think if I used my experience and a calmer head I wouldn’t leave spaces behind me. I have spoken about this with the gaffer and we have been looking at that and working on it. I think it will make me a better player, especially in the system we want to play this season.”

Walker last played for Spurs competitively in March (Getty Images)

Walker could well be back in Roy Hodgson’s next England squad in 2015. The journey continues at Istanbul’s Olympic Stadium tonight.