Soccer-Saka skips England training to follow individual programme ahead of Ghana clash


Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group L - England v Croatia - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. - June 17, 2026 England's Bukayo Saka on the pitch before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

KANSAS ⁠CITY, June 20 (Reuters) - England winger Bukayo Saka missed ⁠training on Friday ahead of his side's World ‌Cup game against Ghana, with the Football Association saying he was following his own programme as he continues to manage an ​Achilles injury.

Saka has been battling the ⁠problem since March and ⁠England coach Thomas Tuchel has repeatedly stressed the need to ⁠carefully ‌manage the 24-year-old's workload during the tournament.

The winger was not involved in the session ⁠at England's Kansas City base but there was ​no indication ‌from the FA that his availability for Tuesday's ⁠Group L ​match was in doubt.

Saka came off the bench in England's 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening game and ⁠made an immediate impact, helping to ​create Marcus Rashford's late goal as Tuchel's side began their World Cup campaign in style.

The Arsenal player said before ⁠the tournament that he was prepared to take the gamble of playing through the injury in order to feature at the World Cup, although Tuchel has ​acknowledged he is unlikely to be ⁠able to start and finish every match.

England top Group ​L after the opening round ‌of matches and face Ghana on ​Tuesday before concluding the group stage against Panama.

(Writing by Julien Pretot, editing by Ed Osmond)

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