Bukayo Saka stayed indoors on Saturday for individual training at England’s base in Kansas City as he works back from an achilles problem. England face Ghana on Tuesday, and the winger is not yet ready to handle a full 90 minutes.
England manage Saka's minutes
Thomas Tuchel put the issue plainly: “Saka is managing an achilles problem and is not ready to complete a full 90 minutes yet.” That leaves England balancing a player who can still help them with the need to protect his minutes early in World Cup 2026.
Saka had come off the bench in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, so Saturday’s individual programme fits the pattern of a gradual return rather than an immediate move back into the starting role. England are top of Group L after that win, which gives them room to be careful without changing the size of Tuesday’s game against Ghana.
Noni Madueke on the right
Noni Madueke is likely to start on the right against Ghana in Boston. That points to a second straight match in which England manage the flank around Saka rather than forcing him through a full workload.
Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice also trained on Saturday after injury concerns from the Croatia match. England needed that session to steady more than one part of the lineup, but Saka’s situation remains the one most likely to shape the right side.
Tuchel's selection call
The immediate selection call is simple: England can use Saka again, but Tuchel does not sound ready to ask for 90 minutes. Jude Bellingham has said he is more than ready to give England minutes, but the right side still appears set to lean on Madueke first while Saka continues the individual work.
That leaves Tuesday with one clear watch point for England. If Saka is held back again, the opening group-stage win will have bought time, not certainty, and the right flank will stay in Madueke’s hands for another night.
