England World Cup squad: Raheem Sterling should not have been forced to explain gun tattoo, insists Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker has leapt to the defence of England and Manchester City teammate Raheem Sterling, insisting that the 23-year-old should not have been forced to explain the decision to get a tattoo of a gun on his right leg.

Sterling felt compelled to clarify that the image was intended as a tribute to his father who was shot and killed when he was two years old, after the front page of The Sun newspaper last month described it as “sick” and linked it to gun crime.

England manager Gareth Southgate and the Football Association were both swift to come out in support of Sterling, whose lifestyle off the field has prompted a barrage of scrutiny and criticism from some sections of the English media in recent years.

Walker has become good friends with Sterling since moving to City from Tottenham last summer, and feels his teammate should not need to justify what he chooses to do in his personal life.

“Should he have had to have come out and explain himself? I don’t believe so,” Walker said. “It’s his body, it’s up to him what he does with his body. If I wanted to do something to my body then I wouldn’t care what anyone else has to say.

“I feel it’s a bit sad that he had to come and tell people that his dad died from a gun. It’s personal to him.”

Asked if he thinks some in the media pick on Sterling, Walker replied: “I think a little bit. It’s just Raheem. He probably won’t change for anyone, that’s just him and I wouldn’t want him to change for anyone because he’s a lovely person.

“You guys have to fill papers, you have to write things and whatever you choose to write, that’s your opinion. I know Raheem and deep down and he’s a gentleman, a lovely, lovely guy. He might not always be portrayed like that but he’s helped me massively.

“At Manchester City, on and off the field, if I’ve got a problem at home or a problem with football then I’m the first one to go to him and speak about it. He’s got a heart of gold.

“He’s my friend. He’s my teammate but first and foremost he’s my friend and I’d defend him till the end of the earth.”

Big things are expected of Sterling on the pitch in Russia, and Walker is backing his teammate to deliver for England. “He’s unbelievable,” the defender added. “He could be one of the best in the world by far.

“He scares defenders, he scares me when he’s running at me. I just have to put my body in the way and hope he has to run round me!”

Walker is also adamant that the possibility of racist abuse in Russia will not deter his family from travelling to the tournament to support him, after teammate Danny Rose revealed that he has told his parents to stay at home because he fears for their safety.

“My dad is big enough and can stick up for himself, I can assure you of that!” he said. “My mum and dad are going out, my missus and my oldest son.

“It does concern me a little bit but if I sat there and thought all my life about dos and don’ts then I wouldn’t get anywhere. I’d just stay in my house.”