Saka trains alone as England prepare for Ghana game

Bukayo Saka in a pale blue England tracksuit

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Saka came off the bench after 72 minutes in England's 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia

ByAlex HowellFootball reporter in Kansas City

Published57 minutes ago

Bukayo Saka was the only player not involved in group training as England continued preparations for their second match of the World Cup against Ghana.

The Arsenal winger spent Saturday's session indoors working on an individual programme as he continues to deal with an Achilles issue he has been managing since March.

England meet Ghana in Boston on Tuesday (21:00 BST) with both sides having started Group L with a victory.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel was on the training pitch at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City with 25 of his 26 players as baseball team the KC Royals watched on alongside opponents St Louis Cardinals after the two had played on Friday night.

Saka came off the bench in the 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday, and provided an assist to fellow substitute Marcus Rashford for England's fourth.

Before the tournament, Tuchel said Saka would require managing through the opening stages because of what is understood to be an Achilles tendinitis issue.

Saka has insisted he was ready to play and was prepared to "gamble" on his fitness to help the team during the World Cup.

However, Tuchel said 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 said. "I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready."

Saka has been carrying the issue for some time, and while there was concern behind the scenes at Arsenal, they deemed the forward fit enough to start regularly during their triumphant title run-in.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is often very guarded with regards to his players' injury concerns and has generally kept information about Saka's condition in-house.

But Tuchel's admission the 24-year-old has to be managed through at least part of the World Cup has thrust the winger's fitness into the limelight.

Tuchel's latest comments appear to show that the German is protecting Saka, knowing the winger will likely be a crucial asset during the latter stages of the tournament - but could also start against Ghana if required.