Bukayo Saka has been ruled out of England’s games against Australia and Italy after travelling more than 100 miles to be assessed by Football Association medics. The decision will come as a relief to Arsenal, who were forced to leave the winger out of their victory over Manchester City because of a hamstring injury.
Saka reported at St George’s Park on Monday afternoon and about three and a half hours later the FA said he would be returning to his club. Arsenal’s hope was that he would get that go-ahead to rest during the international break. Mikel Arteta made his feelings on the matter clear after Sunday’s game against City, saying the 22-year-old “was not available to play football at the moment” and would not be fit to represent his country.
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England were entitled to insist that Saka, who sustained a slight hamstring strain during Arsenal’s defeat at Lens last week, join up with the squad for assessment by their staff. “It was decided that the player would continue his rehabilitation at his club,” the FA said. “No replacements are planned.”
Saka, whose record-breaking run of 87 consecutive starts in the Premier League ended on Sunday, has established himself as a key player for Gareth Southgate. England sit top of Group C with 13 points from five games and Southgate had hoped to have Saka available for the game against Italy at Wembley next Tuesday. He was never likely to be risked for England’s friendly against Australia on Friday.
Southgate, whose alternative wide options include Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford, has placed stock in players joining the England camp even when injured. Jude Bellingham reported for duty before last summer’s qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia in those circumstances.
History will be made when England face Australia, with Stéphanie Frappart set to become the first female referee to take charge of a men’s international match at Wembley. Frappart led the first all-female refereeing team at a men’s World Cup when she officiated Germany v Costa Rica in Qatar last year.
