UMVA has learned that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, two key players for England, are nursing injuries carried over from the previous season.
Saka, who was once one of Arsenal's most robust players, has had a string of muscular injuries in recent years, including hamstring surgery at the end of 2024 and a hip problem in January. His current Achilles tendinitis issue has been a concern, but it is a manageable condition that requires careful management.
The issue is a chronic one, meaning it is unlikely to completely heal quickly, especially over the course of the World Cup. However, it is a common problem that can be managed with careful monitoring and load management. Saka's availability will depend on how he responds to training, and there won't be a clear return date for him.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Saka's management team will be monitoring his response to every training session, looking at post-session stiffness, swelling, pain, and how he moves the morning after. If he is moving freely with no reactivity, they will keep loading him, but if there's any level of pain, stiffness, or discomfort, they will monitor and manage him through that.
Meanwhile, Declan Rice limped off against Croatia, but it was a precautionary measure due to discomfort in his lower back and upper hamstring. Rice later said he was 'good as gold' and expected to play against Ghana. He has been nursing a neural issue for the second half of last season, which he described as a manageable problem.
Rice's issue is not related to fatigue, but rather a neural problem that he and the team have figured out a management strategy for. His understanding of the issue and his use of terminology like 'neural issue' suggest that he is well-educated on how to manage the problem, and his team will likely be monitoring his neural mobility and soft tissue work around that.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that both Saka and Rice will require careful management throughout the tournament, but their issues are manageable and not expected to threaten their involvement in the knockout stages. The medical staff and coaches will be working closely with them to ensure they are fit to play and can make an impact in the competition.
