Bad news has come to the England National Team in preparation for the friendly match. The important pillar duo, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane are confirmed to be absent against Brazil.
The Three Lions will play a friendly match with the five-time World Cup champion team as a form of preparation for competing in Euro 2024 at Wembley, Sunday (24/3/2024) early morning WIB.
Kane was confirmed to have suffered an injury while playing for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga match against Darmstadt after the player collided with the goalpost.
The England captain has missed several training sessions this week and is receiving treatment at St George’s Park after undergoing a scan on Monday.
And there are concerns that England’s all-time leading goalscorer will not be fit enough to start against Brazil, although there remains hope that he can play the full game in Tuesday’s match against Belgium.
England will not risk Kane’s fitness, especially considering both matches are friendlies.
Meanwhile, Saka also left the camp with an unspecified injury. Gareth Southgate will also not force the Arsenal star to play against the Selecao at the weekend.
“Bukayo Saka has left the England camp and returned to his club to continue his rehabilitation. The Arsenal striker was reported to St George’s Park with an injury and is unable to take part in training,” read the official English FA statement.
“No substitutions are planned as England’s 25-man squad continues their preparations for the upcoming international matches with Brazil and Belgium.”
Saka’s absence from England’s perspective, although disappointing in terms of preparations for Euro 2024, ultimately had little impact on the friendly match.
However, this raises a big question mark over his fitness for the Premier League title clash between Arsenal and Manchester City, when the two clubs meet at the end of this month.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes were not called up to the Brazilian national team due to injury and will also be doubtful for the match against Man City.
Arsenal will really miss out if Saka is completely absent against The Citizens and cannot be fit on time. The 22-year-old is Arsenal’s top scorer this season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions.
Collecting 13 assists took his total goal contributions for the season to 29 goals in 37 club appearances.
