England interim manager Lee Carsley has admitted the injury suffered by Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka does not appear to be a serious one.
Saka limped out of the defeat to Greece earlier this week with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and later withdrew from the squad, leaving him unavailable to face Finland on Sunday evening.
Carsley went on to reveal Saka may have even been fit enough to feature in England’s second game of the October international break, but the decision was made to protect him from any further damage.
“Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him,” Carsley said ahead of the meeting with Finland. “He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine.”
Saka is now back with Arsenal for further treatment on his injury in the hope of getting himself fit enough to feature for the Gunners against Bournemouth on Saturday.
A midweek Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk follows on Tuesday, before Liverpool are due at the Emirates Stadium on the following Sunday for a real top-of-the-table affair, into which Saka will be determined to arrive at 100%.