Injured Bukayo Saka returns to Arsenal as Liverpool star also leaves England squad

Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the England squad and returned to Arsenal after picking up an injury in Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League. Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has also dropped out of contention for Sunday’s trip to Finland due to a personal commitment.

It has left interim England manager Lee Carsley with a squad of 22 players travelling to Helsinki on Saturday afternoon for the now-must-win clash.

Only one team earns automatic promotion from the Nations League groups in League B, and England now trail Greece – who have won all three of their games – by three points.

The Three Lions will have two matches remaining in the November international break after they’re hosted by Finland, but attention will immediately return to club football after full-time.

And Arsenal have been left sweating on Saka’s fitness after he limped off early in the second half at Wembley in midweek.

After the last-gasp loss, Carsley remained coy about the 23-year-old’s condition, stating: “He’s being assessed. In the build-up to the first goal, you could see he felt something in his leg.”

Arsenal officials will now work with Saka in the hope that he doesn’t join an increasingly worrying list of players currently on the injury table.

Gunners captain Martin Odegaard has been absent since suffering an ankle injury while on Norway duty in September.

He is now joined by Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and current top goalscorer Kai Havertz on the sidelines.

Saka joining them would be a cruel blow for Mikel Arteta amid an intense three-way battle with Liverpool and Manchester City at the Premier League summit.

Liverpool may have a new absentee of their own when Chelsea visit Anfield next weekend, though, with Jones dropping out alongside Saka.

The 23-year-old was called up as a late replacement but won’t travel to Finland due to a personal commitment. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be available in a week’s time.

England’s 22 players available to face Finland trained at Tottenham’s training ground on Saturday before they board the plane.

England squad vs Finland in full

Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Nick Pope

Defenders – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Tino Livramento, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill, Rico Lewis

Midfielders – Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher, Angel Gomes, Jude Bellingham

Forwards – Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, Noni Madueke, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Dominic Solanke