England given huge injury boost but worries remain over key star

England star Marcus Rashford has allayed fears of a hamstring injury as he trained ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Ghana.

There were reports the winger complained of a tight hamstring following the Three Lions’ 4-2 win over Croatia on June 17.

Rashford did his chances of starting against Ghana no harm thanks to his bright cameo last WednesdayGetty

Rashford came on as a substitute in England’s tournament opener and completed the rout with a tidy finish in the 85th minute.

Rashford did not appear in England’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Sporting Kansas City, which they won 5-1, despite playing just over 20 minutes against Croatia.

But Rashford appears to have shaken off any injury concerns given he was an active participant in the Three Lions’ training session at Swope Soccer Village.

Buk stops here

However, the same could not be said for Bukayo Saka, who continues to follow an individual training plan.

Saka entered the Croatia contest off the bench and laid on the assist for Rashford’s goal.

The Arsenal star’s reduced minutes came after England boss Thomas Tuchel admitted he has to carefully manage Saka’s training load amid concerns over his fitness.

Saka was sidelined for seven games towards the end of the campaign due to an Achilles issue.

Will Saka play for England against Ghana?

Tuchel appears to be taking a cautious approach with Saka and hinted the winger would once again play a reduced role, if any at all, against Ghana, despite being fit to play.

“Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready,” Tuchel said on Friday.

“Once we get to the last game in the group, it is the moment.

Tuchel looks to be taking a cautious approach with SakaGetty

“He was strong [on Thursday] in training in small spaces. It’s just a matter of if the game is open and up and down.”

Can England replace Saka in the squad?

Losing Saka to injury at this stage would represent a major blow to Tuchel and England given they could no longer call up a replacement.

Nations were permitted to replace an injured or ill player for the entirety of the World Cup up to 24 hours before their first match at the tournament.

Given England have now contested that match, they would be forced to continue at the tournament with a 25-man squad should Saka or any other player fall victim to injury.

England had already made use of the replacement rule on the eve of the tournament after defender Tino Livramento was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was drafted into the squad as his replacement.

Tuchel looks set to have a full squad to pick from for England’s match against GhanaGetty

Tuchel and his troops will look to make it two wins from as many games against Ghana on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm BST.

talkSPORT will have England fans covered for the match via live commentary from 7pm.

Coverage will be presented by Adrian Durham alongside commentators Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce.

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