Bukayo Saka is expected to be available for England’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark on Wednesday and the Arsenal man is well on course to making a retutn to the fold. The 19-year-old handed the Three Lions a significant boost by joining the squad in training on Tuesday after missing the last win over Ukraine.
Gareth Southgate’s side entered the quarter-final encounter without the forward who has been very instrumental in their campaign so far. In his absence, Manchester United-bound Jadon Sancho was handed his full at the tournament and helped his side to an emphatic 4-0 win over the Ukrainians. A double by Harry Kane and a goal apiece from Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson, were enough to secure a semi-final spot for the English.
On Monday, Southgate confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be fit for Wednesday’s semi-final against Denmark. He revealed that the young attacker – who was named UEFA’s Star of the Match against the Czechs in the final group game – was eager to feature against Ukraine but was rested as a precaution.
“He should be fine,” the England boss said.
“He did declare himself available for the [Ukraine] game but we had not really had the chance to see him on the pitch and working at the level we felt would vindicate that decision.
“He will go back into full training with the group on Monday and he should be fine.”
On Monday, Saka was spotted with the England team as declared by the national team head coach. With Jadon Sancho having also repaid his manager’s faith in him with a top performance in the win over Ukraine, a selection dilemma awaits the technical team of the Three Lions. On the contrary, the team will go into the semi-final hoping to end the dreadful semi-final record that barred past generations from winning any top accolade.
Not too long ago, England lost the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup 2-1 after extra-time at the hands of Croatia. The latter would go on to lose the finals of the mundial to France. So far, the Three Lions have only ever won one of five major tournament semi-finals they have featured in. The only single occassion was when a 2-1 win over Portugal in 1966 led them to be crowned world champions.
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