England's World Cup campaign started perfectly with a win against Croatia, but injury concerns over Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are being closely monitored by manager Thomas Tuchel and his staff. Saka was left out of the starting XI due to an Achilles injury, with Noni Madueke deputising. Rice came off after 72 minutes with a lower back and hamstring issue, while Marcus Rashford is being monitored for muscle tightness after scoring the winner.
Bukayo Saka's Chronic Achilles Tendinitis
Saka has been managing Achilles tendinitis, a chronic condition that ruled him out of five matches in April, including both Champions League quarter-final legs against Sporting CP and a Premier League clash with Manchester City. Despite concerns, he was deemed fit enough to play in the season run-in. Tuchel suggested Saka is unlikely to start against Ghana on Tuesday, with the plan to save him for the final group match against Panama.
Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs, an injury welfare specialist, told Metro: 'It isn’t about taking him out of the picture for a prolonged period and treating it, it is about managing it. We know it’s a chronic issue that can persist for a number of seasons that players must learn to manage.' Smith explained that Saka's availability will depend on his response to training, with medical staff monitoring pain, stiffness, and swelling after each session.
Declan Rice's Neural Issue
Rice limped off against Croatia, but Tuchel described it as a precautionary measure. Rice later said he was 'good as gold' and expects to play against Ghana. He revealed he had been nursing a 'neural issue' in his lower back and upper hamstring for the second half of last season. Despite playing more minutes than any other Arsenal outfield player last season, the issue is manageable and not fatigue-related.
Smith commented: 'Just from hearing what Rice said, I think it is unlikely to be fatigue-related. Everything he talked about, little neurological pains, suggested he would be back out there. He obviously understands what it is. Rice saying it was a neural issue was incredible. A player using terminology like that suggests he is very well educated on how to manage the issue and I would take huge confidence from that alone.'
England's Recovery and Next Match
England have six days to recover before facing Ghana. Tuchel has been more transparent than Mikel Arteta about Saka's fitness, and the medical team will manage both players' loads throughout the tournament. Smith expects Saka's issue to be managed day by day, with no expectation of a complete resolution mid-tournament.
