Bukayo Saka admits fitness ‘gamble’ ahead of England’s World Cup opener

Bukayo Saka will continue to “take the gamble” on his fitness to be involved in England’s World Cup campaign . The Arsenal winger has been managing an Achilles injury that dogged the end of his domestic campaign, playing through the pain barrier, and Thomas Tuchel said during the pre-tournament camp in Florida that he does not think he can yet play 90 minutes. Saka, who picked up the injury in March and missed a month of action, including the international window, said he was “ready to go” for Wednesday’s Group L opener against Croatia in Dallas, but revealed he had taken a fitness risk to be involved in Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League run-in. “As players, it’s the biggest gamble, especially if you’re not feeling your sharpest,” he said. “You have the choice whether you don’t play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you the same. Bukayo Saka during a press conference in Kansas City (PA) “At the end of the day, people don’t really care how you’re feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform. I’m happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I’d say. I’m going to continue doing that. “But I am feeling a lot better than I did in March, and I’m ready to go.I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager, but between Mikel and Arsenal’s medical team and England’s medical team, since March, they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team. “I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go.” If Saka is not fit enough to be involved in Wednesday’s match in Dallas, his Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke is expected to start on the right. Noni Madueke (left) and Bukayo Saka are both viable options on the wing for England (PA) The pair are close friends and Saka admits it is “quite unique” to be in direct competition for a place in the side with someone he sees as a “brother”. “It’s quite unique because to have two players that play in the same position, to be as close as we are, I don’t really know how it works, but it works,” he said. “Noni is like my brother on and off the pitch. We push each other, we speak every day and we have that mutual respect and we want each other to do well. “The good thing is we play on the same team so if one of us is doing well, it’s good for the other. “Of course, 100 per cent (I’ll support him if he plays), and anyone else that plays, even if it’s not him, I’ll be behind them because we’re all here on behalf of England and to make England win and we’re all great talents.” PA