LONDON: England and England defender Kyle Walker has assured club and country that he will steer clear of nitrous oxide in future.

Pictures of Walker inhaling the gas were published over the weekend days before he is expected to play rightback against Ukraine in the World Cup qualifiers.

Although not illegal, there are health risks associated with the substance, which it appears Walker was not aware of at the time. These have now been pointed out to the 23-year-old, who has assured Hodgson it will not happen again.

An FA statement said: “Kyle Walker has expressed his regret for an error of judgement when inhaling Nitrous Oxide earlier this year. The FA and England manager have spoken to Kyle about the matter and he has assured us it will not happen again.

“Inhaling nitrous oxide is not illegal, but we recognise the associated dangers. Kyle has accepted this mistake. He will not face any action under the England Player Code of Conduct.”

Walker, via Twitter, said: “Now I know the health risks, it was poor judgement on my part. I won’t be doing this again and hope that no one else is influenced into putting their health at risk by my actions.”

Walker was named as the PFA’s Young Player of the Year in 2012 and has won seven caps for England since making his debut against Spain in 2011.

He won his seventh cap in Friday’s 4-0 win over Moldova and with Glen Johnson and Phil Jones both ruled out through injury, seems certain to start Tuesday’s game when England need to avoid defeat to keep control of their World Cup fate.

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