FA expect Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka to report for England duty
Arsenal are in talks with England and Belgium over the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, respectively, according to the Evening Standard.
The Englishman was unavailable for selection when the Gunners faced Manchester City in the Premier League at Emirates Stadium on Sunday due to a knock.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claimed after the game yesterday that Saka will not be linking up with the Three Lions for their games against Australia and Italy this month.
However, the England Football Association (FA) expect the 22-year-old to report for international duty at St George’s Park as planned, where he would then be assessed by their medical staff.
The Arsenal star could still spend time in camp over the next fortnight, during which time manager Gareth Southgate will hold key meetings to determine his availability.
Saka is expected to be fit when the Gunners resume Premier League action on October 21 with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Arsenal would prefer him to rest during the international break to avoid an aggravation of his hamstring after he was withdrawn in the games against Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and RC Lens.
However, Southgate sees him as a key member of the national team and could opt to feature him in the qualifier against Italy if he is fit.
Belgium face Australia and Sweden on October 13 and 16, respectively, and Arsenal also want Trossard to rest after he felt his hamstring in the first half against Man City.
He was withdrawn and replaced at the interval by Gabriel Martinelli and could aggravate it if not well-rested having only recently returned to action from a hamstring injury.
