Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice have given England a boost by training in advance of Tuesday’s game against Ghana, but Bukayo Saka looks likely to start on the bench again as he works his way back towards full fitness.
Thomas Tuchel has revealed Saka is managing an achilles problem and is not ready to complete a full 90 minutes yet. The winger came off the bench when England opened their World Cup campaign against Croatia with a 4-2 win in Dallas on Wednesday, but he is still being treated with caution.
Saka stayed indoors to work on an individual programme at England’s training base in Kansas City on Saturday, indicating that Noni Madueke will start again on the right when England face Ghana in Boston in their second game in Group L.
England are top of their group after an impressive second half against Croatia, although they left Dallas with a couple of injury concerns. Rashford, who came on and scored the fourth goal, complained of a minor muscular problem and Rice went off in the 72nd minute after feeling discomfort in his lower back and upper hamstring.
But there was good news for Tuchel when the team returned to training after being given a day off on Friday. Rashford, who is competing with Anthony Gordon for a place on the left flank, looked in good shape and Rice, the vice-captain and a crucial part of England’s midfield, also appeared to be moving freely as Tuchel ran his players through passing drills.
Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, has spoken of how he has grown into playing for his country. In an interview with Fifa, the 22-year-old said: “My responsibility to my team and to my country is to give everything I have. It’s been a gradual process into being where I am with the England squad.
“I wore the captain’s armband for the first time in the friendlies which means I’m on a good path and I know I can contribute whether it be from the starting XI, from the bench, I understand other players deserve to play as well. But I think I’m more than ready to give the team minutes.”
Bellingham, who scored England’s third goal in the win against Croatia, added: “I think it’s always the players who are calmer, more relaxed who understand what they have to do and don’t get carried away with the atmosphere. They are normally the ones who normally seem to look a step above.”
The Real Madrid midfielder also talked about his pride at playing for his country. “When I cross the line, wear that badge on the front, wear the No10 on the back of my shirt, I make sure I give everything that I have,” he said. “It’s every footballer’s dream to play at a World Cup and I’ve been fortunate enough to play in one already and now I’m back with the squad for the second one.”
Talking to BBC Sport, Bellingham said that he used the pre-match national anthem as a chance to draw inspiration from his family. “I think the anthem is the last chance you get to really be mindful of the people who have got you there and what it means to be from England,” he said.
“I think about my grandad, who passed away just before my England debut. He was so patriotic. He was an Englishman through and through. He could give you every fact about every war, every battle, every king, and every queen.”
Bellingham continued: “I also think about the rest of my family and the sacrifices they’ve made to get me to this stage. My mum, my dad and my brother, Jobe, have all been so important for me. My brother has been a constant crutch for me.”
