Two days before England’s friendly game against Brazil at Wembley Stadium, the Three Lions will have to execute the game without one of the team’s most in-form players after Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka pulled out of the camp on Thursday due to injury.

The English FA announced in a statement that the Arsenal winger is nursing an injury and has not trained with the team since reporting to camp earlier in the week. Saka’s withdrawal is precautionary due to an injury, but it comes ten days before Arsenal faces Manchester City in an important Premier League title clash. he will have enough time to work with the national team doctors before the game.

“Bukayo Saka has left the England camp and returned to his club for continued rehabilitation. The Arsenal forward reported to St. George’s Park with an injury and has been unable to participate in training. No further replacements are planned as a 25-man England squad continues their preparation for the forthcoming internationals with Brazil and Belgium.” the FA statement said.

The 22-year-old has eleven goals in 32 games for the national team and has been in tremendous form for the Gunners this season, scoring sixteen goals in all competitions this season, helping them top the Premier League table with ten games left in the season.

The North London club has also moved to the Quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League, where they will face Bayern Munich over two legs.

Meanwhile, the Three Lions have revealed that they will not call up a replacement for Bukayo Saka for the two friendlies between Brazil and Belgium at Wembley Stadium.

England manager Gareth Southgate hopes that Bukayo Saka’s injury will not be a big issue as they have only two more matches after this international break – against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland in June before their opening game of Euro 2024.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu