Saka gambling on achilles ahead of England's World Cup opener

Saka gambling on his achilles for Wednesday

Bukayo Saka says he is "ready to go" but admits he is gambling on his fitness ahead of England's World Cup opener against Croatia (2). The Arsenal winger has been managing an achilles problem through training. "I don't want to say anything that goes against the manager. Between Mikel and the medical team and the England medical team they have managed me amazingly," Saka said. "I'm feeling better than I have felt than in the last few months" (Reddit, 1).

Saka described the injury situation plainly: he is playing with pain (7). Thomas Tuchel has a decision to make.

Madueke on standby if Saka cannot go

If Saka is not fit, Noni Madueke is the leading candidate to start on the right wing (1) (5). Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford are the other wide options Tuchel could turn to. The lineup will not be confirmed until closer to kickoff, but Madueke looks first in line.

Shearer has named his eleven

Alan Shearer has picked his England lineup for Croatia (4). He wants Saka in it. The BBC pundit's selection reflects the broader debate around Tuchel's final call, Saka or no Saka is the question dominating the buildup.

Stones: this squad is not 2018

John Stones has spoken about how far the team has come since the 2018 World Cup. Jordan Henderson called Jude Bellingham the squad's "X-factor", a player the whole group "loves", but admitted he finds the criticism Bellingham faces "hard to read." Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are competing for the number ten role. Tuchel has been putting the squad through sessions in high heat in Kansas City, with a tornado alert adding to the strange pre-tournament atmosphere.

Fan-reaktioner

Arsenal fans on Reddit are cautiously optimistic about Saka's fitness update. The reaction to his "ready to go" quote was positive, though some supporters are uneasy about him playing through an achilles issue in the opening match of a World Cup. Read the full thread.