Saka trains alone ahead of England vs Ghana match

Bukayo Saka was the only player who did not take part in the group training session as England continued to prepare for their second World Cup match against Ghana.

The Arsenal winger spent Saturday’s indoor session working on an individual programme as he continues to manage an Achilles issue that has been present since March.

England will face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, with both teams having opened 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, while the Kansas City Royals baseball team watched alongside opponents St Louis Cardinals after the two had played on Friday night.

Saka entered the match as a substitute in the 4‑2 win over Croatia on Wednesday, and he provided an assist to fellow substitute Marcus Rashford for England’s fourth goal.

Before the tournament, Tuchel said Saka would need to be managed during 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.

“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 dealing with the issue for some time, and while there was concern behind the scenes at Arsenal, the club deemed the forward fit enough to start regularly during their successful title run‑in.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is often very guarded about his players’ injury concerns and has generally kept information about Saka’s condition in-house.

Tuchel’s admission that the 24‑year‑old must be managed through at least part of the World Cup has brought the winger’s fitness into the spotlight.

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.