Bukayo Saka is nearing a return to England's starting XI, after coming off the bench against Croatia and Ghana. On 26 Jun, Thomas Tuchel was cautious not to put too much pressure on Saka's potential return.

What happened?

Saka arrived at the World Cup with an injury, and has been carefully managed by Tuchel, with the Arsenal star coming on as a substitute against Croatia for the last 18 minutes.

Why it matters for Bukayo Saka

Saka's fitness is crucial for England's World Cup campaign, with the 21-year-old's pace and skill on the wing a key asset for the team, as they face Panama on Saturday.

What comes next?

Tuchel said Saka seemed "to be more and more ready" for a return to the starting XI, after the Ghana game, and the Arsenal star will be hoping to start against Panama, as England look to secure their first win of the tournament.

Saka has been suffering with Achilles tendinitis, which required careful managing in the second half of the season, and he missed the England friendlies in March, and did not start a single game in April.

But Saka was still capable of top performances, like Arsenal's crucial 3-0 win over Fulham on 2 May, and he will be hoping to replicate that form for England, as they look to make a deep run in the World Cup.

Tuchel's careful management of Saka's return is understandable, given the player's importance to the team, and the risk of exacerbating the injury, as England look to navigate the group stages.

The Champions League final, which was less than a month ago, has had a significant impact on Saka's fitness, with the Arsenal star arriving late for the Florida preparation camp, and making a brief substitute appearance against Costa Rica.

Saka's condition has had to be managed carefully, with the player coming on as a substitute against Croatia, and not taking part in training two days later, as he followed his own individual programme.

But Saka is making progress, and Tuchel said he is now free of pain, and no longer feeling the discomfort of before, as England look to secure their first win of the tournament.

Declan Rice, Saka's Arsenal team-mate, is also a concern for England, with the vice-captain suffering a dead leg, and being substituted with 18 minutes left in the Croatia game.

Rice had been optimistic about his fitness, saying he had come to the World Cup with "bundles of confidence" and a "spring in his step" after Arsenal won the title, but his injury is a concern for England, as they look to navigate the group stages.

Saka's return to the starting XI would be a significant boost for England, as they look to make a deep run in the World Cup, and Tuchel will be hoping to have the Arsenal star available for selection against Panama on Saturday.

The World Cup is a challenging tournament, with a congested schedule, and Saka's fitness will be crucial for England's success, as they look to navigate the group stages, and make a deep run in the tournament.

On 26 Jun, Tuchel was careful not to put too much pressure on Saka's potential return, saying "it's not like Bukayo comes back and everything is solved", as England look to secure their first win of the tournament.

But Saka's return would be a significant boost for England, as they look to make a deep run in the World Cup, and Tuchel will be hoping to have the Arsenal star available for selection against Panama on Saturday.

Saka's fitness is a key concern for England, but the Arsenal star is making progress, and Tuchel will be hoping to have him available for selection against Panama, as England look to secure their first win of the tournament.

The World Cup is a challenging tournament, with a congested schedule, and Saka's fitness will be crucial for England's success, as they look to navigate the group stages, and make a deep run in the tournament.