09 October 2023 , 16:36
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Bukayo Saka has been ruled out of the England squad after being deemed not fit for international duty.
England boss Gareth Southgate asked the Arsenal winger to report up to St George’s Park ahead of Friday’s friendly with Australia and the Euros qualifier with Italy. But the England medical team allowed him to return to his club after carrying out checks on Saka who missed Arsenal’s title clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
Southgate will not replace Saka in his squad, meaning Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, who was not included in the original England camp but was outstanding in his club’s win at Burnley on Saturday, will not get a late call-up. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had already insisted that Saka was not fit for England duty as the 22-year-old has been suffering from thigh, Achilles and hamstring issues in recent weeks.
But the England camp now make it normal practice they want players to undergo FA checks and Southgate had spoken to Arteta last week to check on his fitness. Arteta had said before the weekend that he was “in contention” to play against City and then claimed after the game that he was never fit enough to be involved.
England did want Saka to be available to face Italy on Tuesday, October 17, in what could be a game which clinches their place at the Euros finals next summer. That would have given Saka more than a week to be ready to face Italy but he will now get a rest with the hope of facing Chelsea on Saturday, October 21.
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The Football Association said in a statement: “The forward reported to St. George’s Park on Monday alongside the rest of the Three Lions’ squad. “Having missed Arsenal’s Premier League win against Manchester City on Sunday through injury, Saka was assessed by the England medical team and it was decided that the player would continue his rehabilitation at his club.
“No replacements are planned with Gareth Southgate having a squad of 25 players to work with.” England boss Gareth Southgate said: “We have the chance to win the game against Italy and secure qualification. But it’s another one of these games that we’re against a top ten nation and can we start beating these teams more regularly.
“That was the challenge when we went to Naples in March. We did that, we had a very good performance on the night and this will be a great test for us.”