England's Walker ready to sacrifice preferred right-back role

June 13 (Reuters) - England defender Kyle Walker is ready to sacrifice his preferred right-back spot and play as a centre-half at his first World Cup, the 28-year-old has said.

A key member of Manchester City's title-winning team last season, Walker has been deployed as a right-sided centre-back in a back-three by manager Gareth Southgate and is likely to retain the spot against Tunisia in their Group G opener on Monday.

"I have been playing professionally since I was 18 at right-back, so to go to your first World Cup and probably not play in your preferred position... is... well, not disappointing but a little bit of a step back," Walker told British media.

"I have to move on from it... as long as the manager feels it is going to benefit the team, then why not?"

Walker, who was an integral part of a City defence that conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League last season, outlined the importance of reading the game as a centre-half.

"It is about reading the game, I don't want to leave space at the back to get on a counter-attack," he added.

"I'm a defender first and foremost, and if I'm playing right centre-half I am even more of a defender than the wing-backs".

England will also face Panama (June 24) and Belgium (June 28) in the group stage.