'Managed carefully' - Injury update on Arsenal injury scare following Euro 2024 opener

Bukayo Saka is among a number of England players whose fitness is being managed carefully by the Three Lions medical team, LondonWorld understands.

Saka, alongside Phil Foden, began last week battling for full fitness after sustaining a groin injury while practicing his shooting for Arsenal during the final week of the Premier League season and has not yet fully recovered.

The young Arsenal star did not feature in the starting lineup for either of England’s warm-up matches but he did play the first half in the Euro 2024 group stage opener against Serbia on Sunday, where he stood out as one of the best players.

Saka scored three goals for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is the second-highest scorer in the 26-man squad for the Euros, trailing only Harry Kane.

In their Euro 2024 opener, Jude Bellingham delivered a standout performance for England, inspiring the team to a 1-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen.

The 20-year-old scored the winning goal with a magnificent header from Saka's deflected cross in the 13th minute, rewarding Gareth Southgate's side for their strong start.

Despite a solid first half, England reverted to more cautious play after the break, allowing Serbia to press forward.

The victory provides a positive step ahead of their second Group C match against Denmark on Thursday.

Southgate admitted afterwards that he hopes his team will show more to come in their upcoming group games.

“Today was just the finishing and a good save from the goalkeeper from the [Kane] header at the end. But that will come. I’m confident we will score goals. You’re playing against a back five. It’s not easy to create chances, but we did and, in the end, one was enough.

“That’s the reality of tournaments. They’re a strong team. We had to suffer a bit, which I think is really good for us, to come through and defend our box the way we did. The pressure was important for the group.”