Southgate needs Saka but can his body take the strain in Germany?

I's Bukayo Saka a little burned out? After six years of almost always making himself available, is the Arsenal and England No 7 feeling the strain? Like many overplayed youngsters before him, are these the first signs of a player whose body is starting to plead for a rest?

- Jacob Steinberg

That isn't really an option this summer. England expects Saka to be ready for Euro 2024. England expects Saka, who has played 52 games for club and country this season, to be raring to go when Gareth Southgate's side take on Serbia in their opening game in Group C on Sunday. England will have to look past the fact that Saka, at the age of 22, has made 259 appearances for club and country, the first in November 2018.

The schedule is wearying. Never mind resting Saka, sometimes Arsenal are reluctant even to take him off. The demands are high under Mikel Arteta and it does not help that Saka has often been on the receiving end of rough treatment from defenders. Saka has winced through games and it is not ideal that he missed Arsenal's final game of the season and England's win against Bosnia and Herzegovina with a groin injury.

The situation requires careful management. Although it was a relief to see Saka come on in the 65th minute of England's humbling by Iceland, there has to be a worry over his endurance. Is he ready for seven tournament matches? England, flimsy and vague in attack against Iceland, are much better when Saka is fit and starting. They need him to be ready for Serbia. Along with the natural width he provides, they need his cutting edge. It is hard to overlook the fact that the only players in England's squad with more than four international goals are Saka (11 in 33 caps) and Harry Kane (63 from 91).