England Prepares for Second World Cup Fixture
England is gearing up for its second World Cup group stage match against Ghana, with all but one player participating in full group training. Winger Bukayo Saka undertook an individual training program indoors on Saturday, continuing to manage an Achilles problem that has affected him since March.
The Three Lions are set to face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday (21:00 BST). Both teams secured victories in their opening Group L matches.
Saka's Fitness Management
Head coach Thomas Tuchel oversaw the training session at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, with 25 of the 26 squad members present. Local baseball teams, the KC Royals and St Louis Cardinals, were reportedly in attendance after their game the previous night.
Saka made a substitute appearance in England's 4-2 win over Croatia, coming on in the 72nd minute and providing an assist for Marcus Rashford's goal. Prior to the tournament, Tuchel indicated that Saka would need careful management during the initial stages due to what is understood to be Achilles tendinitis.
Despite Saka's personal insistence on being ready to play and his willingness to 'gamble' on his fitness for the team, Tuchel has suggested that the 24-year-old is unlikely to start until the final Group L game against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday, 27 June (22:00 BST).
"Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready," Tuchel stated. "I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready."
This ongoing Achilles issue has been a concern for some time. While Arsenal reportedly had reservations, they deemed Saka fit enough to regularly feature during their successful title run-in. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has typically been reserved when discussing his players' injury statuses, often keeping such information private. However, Tuchel's transparent comments regarding the need to manage Saka's condition through part of the World Cup have brought the winger's fitness into public discussion.
Tuchel's recent remarks suggest a protective approach towards Saka, likely recognizing his potential importance in the later stages of the tournament, while also implying he could be called upon to start against Ghana if necessary.