Bukayo Saka was absent from England’s group training session on Saturday as he continues to manage an ongoing Achilles problem ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with Ghana.
The Arsenal winger followed an individual indoor programme while the remaining 25 members of Thomas Tuchel’s squad trained at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City.
England face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday after both nations opened their Group L campaigns with victories, but Saka’s involvement remains uncertain as the 24-year-old continues to recover from an Achilles tendinitis issue that has troubled him since March.
Saka made an impact from the bench in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, setting up Marcus Rashford for the team's fourth goal, but Tuchel has been cautious with the forward’s workload throughout the tournament.
Prior to the World Cup, the England manager revealed that Saka would need careful management during the early stages of the competition, despite the player insisting he was willing to take risks with his fitness to help the team.
“Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready,” Tuchel said.
“I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready.”
Those comments suggest Saka is unlikely to start against Ghana and may instead be targeted for a bigger role in England’s final group match against Panama on 27 June.
The winger has been carrying the injury for several months.
Arsenal monitored the issue closely during their successful Premier League title campaign but continued to select him regularly after determining he was fit enough to play.
Manager Mikel Arteta has largely kept details of Saka’s condition private, but Tuchel’s openness about the situation has brought fresh attention to the winger’s fitness during the tournament.
England’s coaching staff appear determined to protect one of their most influential attacking players, with the expectation that Saka could play a key role in the knockout stages.
While a starting place against Ghana remains unlikely, Tuchel has left the door open should circumstances require the Arsenal star’s involvement.
