Arsenal and the FA consider compromise which will see Bukayo Saka rested for Australia friendly amid concerns over the attacker’s workload

The Football Association and Arsenal are considering a compromise over Bukayo Saka’s involvement with England next week, allowing the forward to rest for the match against Australia.

Mail Sport reported that England and Arsenal medics would work together after Sunday’s match between the Gunners and Manchester City to decide whether Saka should remain in Gareth Southgate’s squad amid concerns over his overall fitness.

And it is understood these discussions will center around a possible deal that will see Saka report to St George’s Park as normal next week, but follow a significantly reduced training program and not start against the Aussies at Wembley on Friday evening.

Saka would then return to full training from Saturday ahead of greater involvement in the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy on Tuesday week.

The plan for Saka is yet to be finalized and will depend on how the forward comes out of Sunday’s match against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Saka is doubtful for Sunday’s match; Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted on Friday that the 22-year-old is only in ‘battle’ to be available for the crunch clash.

The forward suffered hamstring and thigh problems during Tuesday’s defeat to Lens.

Sources have indicated that there is hope that Saka will be able to train as normal at the club’s London headquarters in Colney on Saturday.

How Saka’s body responds to the final session before the match against the champions will be a key factor in his level of involvement against City.

If he emerges from training unscathed, there is hope he can be involved.

But even if Saka is named in the starting XI, Arsenal believe their star player would benefit from a lighter workload while on international duty – a view that has been communicated to the England staff.