Football International Break: Manager of England, Gareth Southgate, Promises To Manage Saka 's Injury

Gareth Southgate 

England manager, Gareth Southgate has vowed to not gamble with Arsenal player Bukayo Saka's health in the forthcoming international break 

Saka is doubt for this weekend's Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates.

The 22-year-old was pulled off during the opening period of Tuesday night's 2-1 Champions League loss to Lens for Arsenal.

Saka has been handicapped by an Achilles injury since the end of last season, and Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has come under fire for allegedly overusing the winger after he was brought on late in the team's 4-0 victory over Bournemouth.

The forward has been selected for both this month's Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy and England's friendly against Australia, but Southgate is certain that he won't take any chances given Saka's injury issues.

"I can only go via what Mikel has said about the last few games," Southgate said as quoted by Football London.

"He is in contention for the weekend, so we've obviously got a very important qualifier. We look after the players as well as any country.

"We only have 10 matches a year. And there's been times when... Bukayo, for example, we haven't always played. But there are certain key games where, if it is possible to have your best players, then you do want to have them.

"So we've got that responsibility of qualifying for the country but, I have been a player. I have never ever taken a risk on a player's physical wellbeing. And nor would I."