England's Bukayo Saka still recuperating from Achilles problem ahead of World Cup opener

The forward, aged 24, picked up the problem in March, yet he played on despite the pain to represent his club Arsenal in the latter part of the season, contributing to their first Premier League title in over twenty years.

Saka also featured in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, a match Arsenal lost on penalties.

"Bukayo is still getting there, playing through discomfort at the end of the season, but obviously managing it and playing at a high level, but still not at 100%. He is the one we are building and taking care of in training," Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday.

"Some things are missing... consecutive trainings. They (Arsenal) took very good care of him and were very aware of it... and we will do a little bit the same.

"He was brought back for the Fulham match when the season and the title were at stake, and he immediately made an impact.

"And then they decided together, Bukayo and Arsenal, to let him play through his pain and discomfort, even if it was not possible to train the whole week in the build-ups."

Saka's physical condition might prove crucial for England's World Cup hopes. He featured in the 2020 and 2024 European Championships and netted three times in four outings during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

England begin their tournament on June 17 in Dallas, facing Croatia again, a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi final.