Bukayo Saka is facing a battle to return to England’s starting line-up after missing training ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup clash with Ghana.
The Arsenal winger did not take part in the main group session on Saturday as he continued to manage the Achilles issue that has troubled him for several months.
Saka instead followed an individual programme as England’s medical staff carefully monitor his workload during the tournament.
The 24-year-old came off the bench in England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia and made an immediate impact, providing the assist for Marcus Rashford’s late goal.
However, his absence from full training has increased doubts over whether Thomas Tuchel will risk starting him against Ghana.
Reports suggest England are currently planning for Saka to begin the match among the substitutes, with the expectation that he could once again play an important role from the bench.
Tuchel has already acknowledged that managing the Arsenal star’s fitness will be crucial throughout the competition.
The England manager recently admitted that Saka may not yet be capable of completing full matches because of the Achilles problem that affected him during the latter stages of Arsenal’s season.
Despite those concerns, there remains optimism within the England camp regarding his condition.
Rather than being rested completely, Saka has continued working with the ball and following a tailored training programme designed to keep him available for the remainder of the tournament.
The cautious approach reflects England’s desire to avoid aggravating an injury that could become more serious if pushed too aggressively.
For Arsenal supporters, the situation will be watched closely given Saka’s importance to both club and country.
The winger played a major role in Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign and arrived at the World Cup after another demanding season.
Speaking before England’s opening match, Saka made it clear that he was prepared to play through discomfort if required.
“As players, it’s the biggest gamble, especially if you’re not feeling your sharpest,” he said.
“You have the choice whether you don’t play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you the same.”
He also insisted he was feeling much better than earlier in the year and remained determined to help England in their quest for World Cup success.
While a starting place against Ghana now appears unlikely, England remain confident Saka can still make a significant contribution during the tournament.
For now, the priority is ensuring the Arsenal winger remains fit enough to influence matches as England look to secure qualification for the knockout stages.
With several crucial games potentially still ahead, Tuchel appears unwilling to take unnecessary risks with one of his most dangerous attacking players.