Bukayo Saka sat out training today as the Arsenal star manages his Achilles issue. England boss Thomas Tuchel otherwise had a full quota of players in the session at their base in Kansas City.
That was good news for Marcus Rashford who was nursing a hamstring issue. Tuchel made clear after the Croatia game that Saka may not be ready to start against Ghana on Tuesday because of his ongoing Achilles tendinitis problem.
Tuchel said: “Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready. He was strong in training in small spaces. It was just a matter of if the game was open and he was up and down.”
England are due to fly to Boston on Monday and Saka and Rashford may again be the “finishers” after coming on to great success against Croatia. Saka made a cameo appearance in the 4-2 win against Croatia, having been introduced for Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke.
He still had time to notch an assist, having teed up Marcus Rashford for the Three Lions’ fourth goal in Dallas. Meanwhile, there is less concern over midfielder Declan Rice, the Arsenal star having claimed he has recovered despite limping off earlier in the week.
While Tuchel has an almost clean bill of health for the game against Ghana, he might have some decisions to make. Chris Sutton has urged the German to hand Rashford a place in the starting line up after his goal.
As quoted by Metro, he said: “It’s going to be a squad game at the World Cup. We could even have a debate about the other flank, where Noni Madueke started, with Tuchel managing Bukayo Saka’s minutes.
View 2 ImagesSaka had a brief cameo against Croatia(Image: Getty Images)
“On the left, though, I’d go for Rashford. I think Gordon’s form suffered towards the end of the season. He didn’t play much for Newcastle and he just doesn’t seem quite up to speed.
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“This is not to say he won’t have a big part to play as the tournament goes on, but Rashford took his goal well and looked good. It’s close, but at the moment I’d go for Rashford. I think he deserves an opportunity.”
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