Saka injury: Southgate explains call to name Arsenal winger in England squad

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Gareth Southgate has defended his decision to include Bukayo Saka in England’s latest squad despite his injury for Arsenal.

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Saka was forced off in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday evening and is a doubt for the Gunners’ key Premier League clash against Manchester City this Sunday.

However, the 22-year-old has been included by Southgate in England’s squad for their upcoming friendly against Australia and their Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy later this month.

When asked about his decision to include Saka despite his injury, Southgate said on Thursday: ‘He’s still being assessed.

‘Obviously they’ve got a big game this weekend then there’s another seven days before we play Australia and 10 days before Italy as well.

‘So everybody will monitor everything as we go forward.’

Saka, who has made 87 consecutive Premier League appearances for Arsenal, hobbled off the pitch in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham last month but was able to start in the 4-0 win over Bournemouth last Saturday.

The winger was replaced with 14 minutes remaining during that game and was an injury concern heading into the Champions League match against Lens this week.

OCTOBER ENGLAND SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace).

DEFENDERS: Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

MIDFIELDERS: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal).

FORWARDS: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

‘It was big enough not to allow him to continue to play the game and that’s a worry for us,’ Mikel Arteta said of Saka’s injury after his side’s defeat to Lens.

Saka has scored five goals and registered four assists for Arsenal this season.

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