Bukayo Saka was back in training for England on Friday after a brief absence earlier this week, ahead of Saturday’s game against Ukraine.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19, 2023. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19, 2023. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Sky Sports News shared footage of England’s latest training session on Friday, with Bukayo Saka, Levi Colwill, and Callum Wilson all taking part.

The trio had all missed out on England’s previous open training session on Tuesday, but Sky reporter Rob Dorsett reported at the time that there were no injury concerns for the three of them.

Henry Winter of The Times added that Saka, Wilson, and Colwill were absent due to “usual load management”, with England u21 players drafted in to take their places in training.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England celebrates after scoring the team's fifth goal and his third during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19, 2023. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England celebrates after scoring the team’s fifth goal and his third during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19, 2023. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

It seems those reports were correct, with all three players now back involved again. England face Ukraine on Saturday, September 9th at 17:00 BST.

Footballers will sometimes have days off from full training to manage their “load” and avoid putting too much stress on their bodies, risking injuries. This is seemingly all that was.

Saka has made five starts for Arsenal in the Gunners’ five games this season so far, playing the full 90 minutes in all but one match.

Even in that one game when he came off early, against Crystal Palace, Saka was only substituted in the 89th minute.

Arsenal have profited from their star winger’s availability, as he’s scored twice and assisted twice in those five games.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrate following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrate following the team’s victory in the penalty shoot-out during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

After the international break, Arsenal have an away trip to Everton, the Champions League return against PSV Eindhoven, and then the north London derby that weekend.

Saka is unlikely to get a break from match action until the League Cup fixture against Brentford the following week. In the meantime, Arsenal and England will need to manage him carefully.