Arsenal winger pulls out of international duty with injury | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka has returned to Arsenal for further assessment on a hamstring injury suffered on England duty, the national team have confirmed.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England reacts as he leaves the field to be substituted after receiving medical treatment to an injury during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

England Football have confirmed that Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from international duty for the remainder of the October break.

England are due to travel to Finland, but Saka won’t join the squad for the trip. Instead, he’s returning to Arsenal for further assessment.

Ryan Taylor reports that the decision was taken in consultation with Arsenal’s medical staff.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England goes down with an injury before being substituted during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Saka had suffered a hamstring injury during England’s first game of the break, coming off early in the second half.

The player could then be seen with a slight limp walking away from the game afterwards.

Speaking to the media, England boss Lee Carsley was asked whether Saka was withdrawn for injury reasons.

“Yeah,” Carsley answered. “He’s being assessed. Obviously in the build up to the first goal, you could see he felt something in his leg.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Jude Bellingham of England looks on as Bukayo Saka of England goes down with an injury before being substituted during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The expectation is that Saka will now undergo scans to assess the severity of the issue, though initial reports suggest it’s not hugely serious.

But even a minor hamstring injury could see the winger miss a couple of weeks of action.

Arsenal face Bournemouth next Saturday, October 19th, then Shakhtar Donetsk the following Tuesday, October 22nd. But the big game coming up is against Liverpool on October 27th, just 16 days from now.

Given Saka’s form this season, with 10 goal contributions in 10 games for Arsenal, his availability against the league leaders could be vital.