Bukayo Saka injury: Arsenal forward leaves England camp to return to club for further assessment
Bukayo Saka has left the England training camp and returned to Arsenal; forward will get further assessment on the injury picked up against Greece; Arsenal face Bournemouth in their first fixture after the international break on October 19, live on Sky Sports
Sunday 13 October 2024 11:13, UK
Bukayo Saka has left the England training camp and returned to Arsenal for further assessment on the injury he picked up against Greece.
The Arsenal winger limped off during the second half of Thursday's defeat to Greece at Wembley and will not feature in England's Nations League clash with Finland on Sunday.
But, in the lead-up to that game, interim manager Carsley offered hope the 23-year-old would be fit for the Gunners' Premier League game against Bournemouth in their first fixture after the international break on October 19 - which you can watch live on Sky Sports.
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"Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him," he said.
"He's a positive person and I expect him to be fine."
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Saka continues to be assessed by the Arsenal medical team after arriving back with the club on Saturday morning.
Jones misses Finland trip | Kane and Grealish train
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is also out of England's trip to Finland because of a personal commitment.
Jones was a late addition to the England squad ahead of the Greece game but was an unused substitute.
Harry Kane was one of 22 players who trained on Saturday, increasing hopes the captain will be fit after missing Thursday's game.
Kane could not overcome a knock picked up playing for Bayern Munich in time to feature against Greece and his absence prompted Carsley to deploy an attacking line-up featuring Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Saka, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon.
It backfired as Greece won 2-1 to take control of League B Group 2, leaving England no room for any more slip-ups if they want to win the group and return to League A automatically.
Jack Grealish also took part in training after missing the defeat to Greece.
Another injury blow for Arsenal?
Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth at England training:
"Saka will return to Arsenal for further assessment on what looks like a hamstring injury he suffered against Greece.
"It's not a surprise after the winger was substituted after 51 minutes last Thursday holding his right hamstring.
"A penny for Mikel Arteta's thoughts.
"The last two international breaks have seen him lose his captain Martin Odegaard with Norway and now Saka, who is probably going to be an injury doubt for the trip to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth."
Analysis: Saka started season among Europe's best - any injury is a blow
Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:
"Arsenal showed through how they reacted to Martin Odegaard's injury - they remain unbeaten despite losing their captain and talisman - that nobody is irreplaceable.
"But the context that Saka and Arsenal are in right now: losing the England winger for any period of time would be a huge blow.
"The 23-year-old has begun this season with seven assists in seven league games. It is not just the best record in Europe this season. It is actually among the very best starts to the season any Premier League player has had from an assist point of view.
"Arsenal have managed the absence of Saka last season - they played three matches without him and won them all, including a home game against Manchester City.
"But with Odegaard confirmed to be out until November and Kai Havertz having knee issues with forced him out of Germany's Nations League squad, Arsenal run the risk of being without their key attacking players ahead of a huge game at home to Liverpool on October 27, live on Sky Sports.
"Arsenal can deal with the odd big injury every now and again - but two or three..."
Arsenal's next six fixtures…
Saturday October 19: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
Tuesday October 22: Shakhtar Donetsk (H) - Champions League, kick-off 8pm
Sunday October 27: Liverpool (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
Wednesday October 30: Preston North End (A) - Carabao Cup, kick-off 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports
Saturday November 2: Newcastle (A) - Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
Wednesday November 6: Inter Milan (A) - Champions League, kick-off 8pm
