Saka Trains Individually as England Prepares for Ghana Clash

England's preparations for their World Cup clash against Ghana have been impacted by an injury concern surrounding key winger Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal forward was the sole player absent from the team's group training on Saturday, instead undertaking an individual indoor program to manage an ongoing Achilles issue.

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Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready.

Saka has been dealing with Achilles tendinitis since March, a condition that has required careful management. Head coach Thomas Tuchel suggested that the 24-year-old is unlikely to feature prominently until England's final group stage match against Panama on June 27. However, Tuchel did not rule out Saka's participation against Ghana, stating he is "ready and will get more and more ready."

Despite the injury, Saka has expressed his commitment to the team, indicating a willingness to "gamble" on his fitness to contribute during the World Cup. He came off the bench in England's opening 4-2 victory over Croatia, providing an assist for Marcus Rashford's goal. Tuchel's comments suggest a cautious approach, aiming to protect the player for later stages of the tournament while acknowledging his potential availability.

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I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has historically been guarded about player injuries, but Tuchel's public acknowledgment of Saka's need for management throughout the tournament has brought the winger's fitness into sharp focus. The situation highlights the delicate balance between managing a player's long-term health and leveraging their impact during a major competition.

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gamble