England vs Panama: Bukayo Saka fit and ready to start in final Three Lions team game along with Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice injury news | Football News

England manager Thomas Tuchel says Bukayo Saka is “pain free” and “ready to go” for the Three Lions’ final group game against Panama – amid an injury to defender Reece James.

Saka started on the bench in England’s first two World Cup matches against Croatia and Ghana and made cameos in the second half as a substitute. This is due to a long-term Achilles problem that affected his season at Arsenal.

However, Tuchel has revealed that Saka has spent the last few days feeling back to normal after a rigorous treatment process that included consultations with Arsenal.

“For Bukayo, it was the right thing [not to start him yet],” said Tuchel. “We agreed with Bukayo, especially the medical team at Arsenal, with strong cooperation that this is the way to build him up.

“Now, since many days, he is completely free of pain and discomfort and he is ready to go and ready to go.”

However, the protector James he will miss the Panama match with a “slight hamstring problem” according to Tuchel. He is also doubtful for the 32nd round but he is not completely ruled out.

“Reece has a little muscle problem. He hasn’t been able to train for the last two days,” said Tuchel. “Now he is in a fast-paced rehabilitation program and we are taking it game by game. But there is a belief that he will be there for us [again] in the competition.

“We hope that he will be fit for the next game, maybe he will be strong, but there is still hope, he did not go with us. [to play Panama on Saturday.]”

Tuchel’s name Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah again Ezri Konsa as right cover options who can replace James. But the England manager was also questioned why he called on full-back Trevoh Chalobah – instead of a right-back – when defender Tino Livramento suffered a tournament-ending injury earlier this month.

“The idea behind driving Chalobah is to release Quansah from our right back position,” said Tuchel. “I saw him play strongly when he played for Liverpool and he played well at the back – which is not too far from the place – at Leverkusen. And we have Djed Spence.

“No one saw that [James injury] when he arrived, Reece was in good shape.

“Konsa played in that position at right back for us at the top level. No problem. We would have liked to have Reece as a key player but he is not available. We will find solutions. That’s what we do.”

Rice and Anderson are equal – but the Arsenal man has a yellow card problem

The reports on Friday evening also put it Elliot AndersonPanama’s participation is doubtful due to muscle stiffness. However, Tuchel said the England midfielder took part in full training on Friday and is available to start.

Despite beating the calf against Ghana, Declan Rice he was also cleared – but the Arsenal midfielder is one yellow card away from being banned in the round of 32.

“Yes and no,” said Tuchel, when asked if that influenced his thinking. “He is experienced enough to handle it. But we know about it. He has a yellow card.

“If he starts [against Panama]and usually I want Declan on the field, he has to handle that and he will handle that.

“Elliot Anderson was in full training [on Friday]. Declan Rice was fully trained. They both felt a bit strained after the Ghana game, but they had time to recover.

“Everybody apart from Reece James is available and ready to go. We will make a decision [on Friday night].”

Tuchel: Anderson was not disturbed by the departure of Man City

Meanwhile, Tuchel also talked about Anderson’s British record move to Manchester City, who agreed £116m for the Nottingham Forest player.

Earlier this month, Tuchel revealed that he did not want players focused on the day before the game and the England manager said Anderson had not caused any disruption – and he would make City leave after the Panama game.

“We had no distractions, no medical before the game,” said Tuchel. “All the focus was on his recovery and getting him available to train.

“It was focused on training and going with us. There are no distractions from the main topic which is obviously the game. We want to win the game, win the team. We need Elliot with a good sense.

“The truth is that exchanges continue in world football while we are still playing. Big exchanges take a lot of time.

“We know that things go on behind the scenes. We will facilitate that change but after the game, not before.”