England interim manager, Lee Carsley, has offered an encouraging update on Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka’s injury, downplaying concerns that it could be a serious issue.
Saka, who picked up an apparent hamstring injury during England’s 2-1 loss to Greece earlier this week, was forced to withdraw from the squad, ruling him out of Sunday’s match against Finland.
Despite the initial worry, Carsley revealed that Saka’s injury isn’t severe and hinted that the 22-year-old winger was close to being fit enough to play in the second game of the international break.
However, the decision was made to prioritize his long-term fitness and avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
“Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him,” Carsley explained during his pre-match press conference. “He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine.”
Saka has now returned to Arsenal for further assessment and treatment as the Gunners aim to have him available for their upcoming fixtures.
Arsenal faces Bournemouth on Saturday in the Premier League, followed by a critical Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk midweek.
The stakes will be even higher the following Sunday, when they take on Liverpool in a crucial top-of-the-table clash at the Emirates.
Saka is expected to be keen to make his return in time for these key matches, with hopes high that he can recover in time to play a significant role.
