Bukayo Saka has brushed aside worries about his lingering Achilles issue, declaring himself ready for England's crucial quarter-final against Norway.
The Arsenal star has been battling the effects of the injury he picked up back in March, forcing the coaching staff to handle his minutes carefully throughout the tournament. While he started in the group-stage wins over Panama and Mexico, Saka has yet to play a full match, often entering from the bench in other games. But as the competition reaches its business end, the 24-year-old sounded positive and energised.
"I think across the tournament, my minutes have been building. I'm building," Saka said ahead of the Norway match.
"Of course, I would have loved to come to this tournament 100 per cent,
but that wasn't the case and everyone's realised that. They've managed me in the best way possible. But right now, I'm feeling great and I'm ready to go," he added.
Normally an automatic pick in Thomas Tuchel's starting line-up, Saka admitted the tournament has thrown up some unfamiliar challenges for him.
"Each game has been unique for me, but my mindset doesn't really change much. Whether I come on or I start, I just try and do what the game needs, whether it needs a goal, whether it needs the team to defend, whatever it needs. It's about winning. That's my mindset, the England player added.
Saka made his mark in England's thrilling 3-2 triumph against Mexico, delivering the assist for Jude Bellingham's early goal before making way as the side battled through a red card to Jarell Quansah and held on for a memorable victory.
Looking ahead, he called for the team to park the celebrations and refocus quickly.
"We discussed that we need to put the drama and the emotions of the Mexico game behind now. We soaked in all the praise and everything that came a bit, but now we need to focus on Norway, which is going to be another tough challenge, a different challenge. We're fully focused and I'm positive that we'll win," he concluded.
