Arsenal sent no-nonsense message over Bukayo Saka by England boss Southgate

Gareth Southgate discusses latest England squad selection

England manager Gareth Southgate says he has no qualms about risking the wrath of Arsenal by picking Bukayo Saka for this month’s international double-header. The Three Lions are set to return to action next week as the international break returns for the final time in 2023, and Southgate has promised the north London club that as ever he would take full care of their crocked star.

Saka limped out of their 2-1 Champions League defeat in Lens on Tuesday and is also rated as a major doubt for Sunday’s game against Manchester City, having injured his hamstring doing a backheel.

It came just days after the 22-year-old was taken off with a knock in the 4-0 win over Bournemouth. But it did not prevent Southgate from picking him for the friendly against Australia on Friday, October 13 and the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy four days later.

“He is in contention for the weekend and we’ve obviously got a very important qualifier,” Southgate said.

READ MORE Arsenal boss Arteta ‘worried’ as Saka suffers new injury before Man City tie[LATEST]

“There are certain key games where if it’s possible to have your best players then you do want to have them. And we’ve got that responsibility of qualifying for the country.

“We look after the players as well as any country. Clubs pretty much all would agree that we probably give better feedback than every other nation. They have trust in us that we make decisions that are right for the long-term whenever we can.

“We only have 10 matches a year. I’ve never ever taken a risk on a player’s physical well being. And nor would I.”

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Saka has an impressive goalscoring record for his country, with 11 goals in 30 caps since his debut in a 3-0 win over Wales back in October 2020. But there have been concerns raised about the risk of burnout for the youngster, who hasn’t missed a Premier League for two whole seasons.

Given his recent series of knocks and muscle injuries, the friendly with Australia may have been viewed as an ideal opportunity to give him something of a rest with the Euro 2024 championship in Germany next summer still a long haul of a season away.

Saka’s inclusion means there is still no place for Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling, with West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen replacing Eberechi Eze, while Ollie Watkins is in for Callum Wilson.

John Stones is back in the squad in place of Ben Chilwell, a move which leaves Levi Colwill and Kieran Trippier as the only part-time left-back cover.

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