Arsenal star Bukayo hasn’t trained for TWO days with the England squad due to illness since arriving with the rest of the Three Lions squad at St George’s Park on Tuesday.
Bukayo Saka goal gives Arsenal victory at Aston Villa as top-four push goes on. (image: Getty Images)
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka missed a second consecutive day of England training on Thursday, prompting fears that he will miss Saturday’s international friendly against Switzerland at Wembley.
The 20-year-old tested negative for coronavirus upon arrival at St George’s Park on Tuesday, but has been staying in his room at the England camp as them medical staff keep an eye on his situation.
Sky Sports reported Rob Dorsett said Saka tested negative for covid upon arrival and has remained in his hotel room on due to illness.(Getty Images)
He also speculated he’ll take another test over the next 24 hours, with doctors seemingly hopeful it’s not covid.
“The headline, I can tell you exclusively,” said Dorsett.
“Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka didn’t train with England this morning because of illness and he remained in his hotel room.
“Importantly, I’m told that he tested negative for covid when he arrived at St George’s Park along with the rest of the squad yesterday.
“So of course, FA doctors will be keeping an eye on him, keeping him monitored. But they’ll be hopeful that it won’t be covid.
“You’d expect him to be tested again during the next 24 hours or so in the hope he can recover from this and still play a part in England’s friendly.”
It’s a worrying update for Arsenal fans, who’ll hope Saka doesn’t have covid and can shake this off soon.(Getty Images)
Gareth Southgate’s side face Switzerland on Saturday before coming up against the Ivory Coast three days later, although it’s unclear at this stage whether Saka will be involved in either game.
Saka was brought off in the second half of Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Aston Villa due to what Gunners boss Mikel Arteta described as ‘fatigue’.
“He was really fatigued as well, after Liverpool he had an issue in his hip,” Arteta said.
“He’s played a lot of minutes and you could tell.
“We don’t want to risk it, he need to go with England now, and we decided the best thing was to take him off. He should be fine, I think.”
The 20-year-old is one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet. And with so much at stake in the coming weeks, Arsenal need him to stay fit.