Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has confirmed that he is fit and ready to make his first England appearance under Thomas Tuchel against Senegal on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old was omitted from the matchday squad from Saturday's World Cup 2026 Qualifying win over Andorra, having sustained a knock on the final day of the Premier League season against Southampton.
Without Saka and several other big-hitters in the starting lineup, an experimental England laboured to an uninspiring 1-0 victory over the Tricolours through a Harry Kane strike early in the second half.
Having also missed March's wins over Albania and Latvia due to his serious hamstring injury, Saka has been forced to wait longer than expected for his maiden cap under new boss Tuchel.
However, speaking to reporters in Monday's pre-game press conference, the attacker praised the Three Lions for taking a cautious approach to his injury and declared himself fit for the midweek friendly.
Saka set for first England appearance under Tuchel
England head coach Thomas Tuchel on March 24, 2025
"After the last game of the season I had a little strain. Fair play to England, they managed me well. The manager left me out and said I will play tomorrow," the Hale End graduate said.
Prior to Saka's press conference, Tuchel also addressed the media, announcing that the Arsenal man would be in the starting XI against Senegal after his knock "worried" him.
Asked about being finally able to select Saka, Tuchel said: "I'm very excited, because I could see that he worked hard to come back from his injury. He had minor discomfort in his last match which worried me a bit.
"He just had one training session with us, a full session and one half on Thursday and Friday. We decided in the end to protect him a little bit, to not let him play, to not take any risk. But he is happy, he trained with a smile yesterday. He will start tomorrow, he is a key player for us."
Saka's appearance on Tuesday will be the attacker's 44th for his nation at senior level, and the 23-year-old has contributed an eye-catching 12 goals and eight assists from his first 43 caps for the Three Lions.
Tuchel answers Ivan Toney question ahead of Senegal friendly
Ivan Toney of Al-Ahlie pictured on April 5, 2025
Saka will be one of a few new faces in the England lineup for Tuesday's exhibition game, as Tuchel has confirmed that he will make a number of unspecified alterations to his starting XI.
One player also hoping to benefit from some chopping and changing is Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who was an unused substitute against Andorra following his first call-up since Euro 2024.
Asked whether the former Brentford man could be seen at the City Ground this week, Tuchel added: "First of all, it was most important that we get to know him as a personality and how he interacts with the group and what he can show us in training which is pretty clear what he can do.
"He’s a goal scorer, he’s a player that loves to play in and around the opponent’s box and preferably, in the box with one or two touches to finish the attacks off.
"Let’s see what the game brings, let’s see what the demands are but has every chance to play like everyone else. We have one more training session and he did very well with the others yesterday and we have all the options."
England and Senegal are clashing in a senior men's international for just the second time this week; the inaugural affair in the 2022 World Cup last 16 saw the Three Lions storm to a convincing 3-0 triumph, one in which Saka struck the final goal.
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