Bukayo Saka misses England training

The Arsenal winger worked indoors on an individual programme and is expected to be available, but Noni Madueke is likely to keep his starting place.

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Bukayo Saka missed England group training on Saturday as he continues to manage the Achilles problem that has affected him since March, making him unlikely to start against Ghana this week.

The Arsenal winger was the only member of Thomas Tuchel‘s 26-man squad not involved in the main session at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, instead working indoors on an individual programme tailored around his recovery.

Saka was not fit enough to start England’s Group L opener against Croatia, although he came on in the second half, played 18 minutes and claimed his 10th assist for his country in the 4-2 win.

He is still expected to be available to face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, but Noni Madueke is likely to keep his place on the right while Saka’s workload is managed.

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England meet Ghana with both sides having opened their World Cup campaigns with a win.

Tuchel raised doubts over Saka’s condition last week, making clear that the 24-year-old was still short of full fitness after an injury that has caused him problems for months.

“He is still not 100 per cent for us,” Tuchel revealed at the start of the month. “Some things are missing for Bukayo in terms of consecutive training.

“I didn’t say Bukayo was not ready to start. But I think it is very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes the matches all from now on.”

Saka responded last Monday by stressing that both Arsenal and England had managed him carefully since the problem first emerged.

“I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager,” Saka said.

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“What I would say is between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal’s medical team and Thomas [Tuchel] and the England medical team since March, they’ve managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team.

“I’m feeling better than I felt in the last few months. And, yeah, I’m ready to go. I’m ready to go, man.”