Bukayo Saka is expected to recover in time for England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia this Sunday.
The Arsenal star missed the final game of their Premier League season due to a muscular injury but made it into Gareth Southgate’s final England squad for the upcoming European Championships.
Although Saka sat out England’s warm-up match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he managed to play the last 25 minutes of their surprising 1-0 defeat to Iceland.
ESPN reports that Saka is likely to be fit to start in England’s first group stage game against Serbia.
Saka has been participating in limited training sessions since rejoining the England camp and was seen training with his teammates in Jena on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Jude Bellingham, who recently joined the squad after being given extra time off following Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund.
If Saka is fit to play on Sunday, he is expected to start on the right-wing, with Phil Foden occupying the left-wing position. However, England has other options available in case Saka is unable to return in time, including Foden, Cole Palmer, and Jarrod Bowen.
There are also questions about England’s midfield setup, with uncertainty surrounding who will partner Bellingham and Declan Rice in the center of the pitch. Trent Alexander-Arnold may be given a chance, given that he has been assigned the number eight shirt, but Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, and Adam Wharton are also potential options.
After the match against Serbia, England will face Denmark and Slovenia to complete their group stage fixtures.
