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  "path": "/2026/06/23/thomas-tuchel-provides-bukayo-saka-injury-latest-amid-noni-madueke-battle-28884803/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-23T00:20:41.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Bukayo Saka",
    "Declan Rice",
    "England men's football team",
    "Noni Madueke",
    "Thomas Tuchel",
    "World Cup",
    "England",
    "Harry Kane",
    "Sign up",
    "Marcus Rashford",
    "Arsenal",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Bukayo Saka is pushing for a return to the England starting XI (Picture: Getty Images)\n\nThomas Tuchel confirmed that Bukayo Saka is fit and available to start for England, but would not say whether he will or not against Ghana.\n\nSaka has been managing an Achilles injury that has not kept him out of action, but has seen him play through pain and look slightly restricted in his play.\n\nWith the fitness issue hanging over him, Saka did not start England’s World Cup opener against Croatia and his Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke got the nod on the right wing.\n\nMadueke was bright and won the penalty which Harry Kane opened the scoring with in the first half.\n\n##  Don't miss a World Cup moment\n\nLionel Messi’s hat-trick. Cape Verde’s heroics. Those Scottish fans.\n\nIt’s been a memorable World Cup so far – our daily newsletter helps you make the most of it. Sign up.\n\nSaka came off the bench and picked up a brilliant assist for Marcus Rashford as the 4-2 win was wrapped up.\n\nTuchel has now confirmed that Saka is good to go, but has kept everyone guessing on who he will start on the right wing against Ghana on Tuesday night.\n\n‘It’s another big thing on the right wing between Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka and the beautiful thing is they do it for Arsenal as well,’ the manager told a pre-match press conference.\n\nNoni Madueke (left) is well-liked by Thomas Tuchel (Picture: Getty Images)\n\n‘Bukayo is getting better and better, feels no more pain and he is ready to go – without telling you if he starts or comes from the bench.’\n\nThe England camp now appears to be injury-free, following the exit of Tino Livramento last week, replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.\n\nThe Three Lions boss also insists there are no issues in the squad over who is starting games and who will be asked to make an impact off the bench.\n\nNoni Madueke and Bukayo Saka share right wing duties for club and country (Picture: Getty Images)\n\n‘Everyone has trained, everyone is available,’ said Tuchel. ‘No matter whether it’s Marc (Guehi) in defence or Marcus (Rashford) and Bukayo, they all bought into it, the team as starters or coming on from the bench.’\n\nOne player who was a fitness concern for England was Declan Rice, who was substituted against Croatia and has been nursing pain in his lower back and hamstring.\n\nIt is not thought to be a serious issue, though, and he will continue to play, with Tuchel hailing him as one of the best in his position on the planet.\n\nDeclan Rice is expected to start against Ghana (Picture: Getty Images)\n\n‘The point where he is now is one of the very best midfielders in the world,’ Tuchel said of Rice.\n\n‘You see a humble, humble footballer, humble, ready to be a team player, ready every day to give energy and good quality into the group and just ready to learn every day.\n\n‘So his career makes him one of the very best at the moment. So proud to be his coach.’\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Thomas Tuchel provides Bukayo Saka injury latest amid Noni Madueke battle"
}