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Tuchel Keeps Bukayo Saka on Bench as England Manage Achilles Issue

England will limit his minutes to protect his longer-term availability for the knockout stages.

Overview

  • Saka missed England's main group training on Saturday as he followed an individual programme to manage an Achilles problem that dates back to March.
  • The Football Association said there was no sign his availability for the Ghana match is in doubt but Thomas Tuchel indicated Saka is unlikely to start the game.
  • Saka came off the bench in the 4-2 win over Croatia and supplied the assist for Marcus Rashford, reinforcing the plan to use him as an impact substitute.
  • With Saka managed, Noni Madueke is expected to keep the right-wing starting role and both Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice have returned to full training.
  • England and Arsenal medical teams are jointly controlling his workload because a worsened injury would leave the squad short of replacements and reduce Saka's chances of featuring in later rounds.