'I’m ready to go’, says England’s Bukayo Saka ahead of crunch Norway clash

England's Bukayo Saka  

Bukayo Saka says he is “ready to go” as he continues to manage an Achilles problem which is disrupting his World Cup.

The Arsenal winger came into the tournament still feeling the effects of the injury he picked up in March and has had limited game time so far.

He started against Panama and Mexico, coming off the bench in the other games, but has yet to play 90 minutes.

However, with the tournament heading into its final stretch and a quarter-final with Norway to come on Saturday, Saka says he is “feeling great”.

“I think across the tournament, my minutes have been building. I’m building,” he said.

“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.” Saka would normally be in boss Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI, but he admits it has been a “unique” time.

“Each game has been unique for me, but my mindset doesn’t really change much,” he said.

“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.

“I’s about winning. That’s my mindset.” Saka played a part in England’s thrilling 3-2 win in Mexico, setting up Jude Bellingham’s opening goal.

The 24-year-old then made way as Tuchel’s men hung on following the dismissal of Jarell Quansah to record a famous victory.

He added: “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.”