Saka fitness boost for England | OneFootball

The winger missed group training over the weekend but has now reportedly trained as normal, although Noni Madueke is still expected to start.

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Bukayo Saka has handed England a fitness boost ahead of their second World Cup match, against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday night.

Saka has been struggling with an Achilles injury since March and has been managed carefully by both Arsenal and England.

The winger sat out group training over the weekend, taking part instead in individual sessions, but he has now reportedly trained as normal before Tuesday’s game.

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Thomas Tuchel has already suggested Saka will not start, with Noni Madueke expected to keep his place as England protect the Arsenal winger for the knock-out stages.

Saka came on for the final 18 minutes against Croatia and registered an assist.

“I’m not in the physio department, but he hasn’t missed a day of training, so I think that’s a good thing,” Tuchel said via ESPN. “I think he’s played so many games throughout these last few years. You can see he’s a crucial player for Arsenal. He’s a top quality player and he brings quality to the pitch, for Arsenal and England.

“I think he’s very important, as everyone can see. Managing niggles going into a competition is very important for the latter stages. You need important players like him to be ready to play and step up when called upon.”

Declan Rice, meanwhile, has revealed he has been struggling with a hamstring issue for the last six months.

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