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Bukayo Saka to undergo ‘assessment’ after withdrawing from England’s Nations League squad, Curtis Jones also out
Bukayo Saka and Curtis Jones will not travel to Finland after withdrawing from England’s Nations League squad, with the former returning to Arsenal to undergo an “assessment” for the injury he picked up against Greece on Thursday. Saka limped off early in the second half at Wembley Stadium with an injury to his right leg. Jones, meanwhile, will not travel due to a “personal commitment”.
Bukayo Saka has left the England camp to undergo an “assessment” at Arsenal, after limping off in his side’s eventual 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley Stadium on Thursday.
Saka was substituted in the 52nd minute after suffering an injury to his right leg, and an England statement released on Saturday confirmed the winger will miss Sunday’s Nations League clash with Finland in Helsinki
Saka’s injury could be a potential blow to his club Arsenal as they look to push Liverpool and Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League table. The 23-year-old has been imperious for the Gunners this season – most recently inspiring them to 3-1 victory over Southampton with a goal and two assists.
Curtis Jones, meanwhile, will also miss the clash “owing to a personal commitment”, after being called up to the squad on Wednesday following the withdrawals of Morgan Gibbs-White, Ezri Konsa and Kobbie Mainoo.
Jones was set for his maiden England cap, after coming through the national team youth ranks under current men’s senior interim manager Lee Carsley.
He scored the only goal in the 2023 Euro U21 final to guide England to victory over Spain.
Carsley, however, is boosted by the returns of Harry Kane and Jack Grealish – according to reports – after the pair missed the Greece defeat with injury.
The interim England boss opted to experiment with his starting line-up against Greece, deploying Jude Bellingham as a “false-nine”, with an attacking midfield consisting of Declan Rice, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, while Saka and Anthony Gordon were selected as wide options.
The test ultimately failed, as England suffered defensively and ultimately lost 2-1 with Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis scoring a brace – his second coming deep in stoppage-time.
England sit second in League B Group 2, having picked up six points from three matches.
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