Ian Wright injury verdict on Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice speaks volumes

Arsenal hero Ian Wright has defended Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice after England captain Harry Kane criticised players for withdrawing from the current international squad.

Both Saka and Rice withdrew from their nation's squad on Monday after being substituted in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. On Wednesday, Harry Kane spoke to ITV Sport and claimed he felt some players had "taken advantage" of minor knocks to withdraw from the England squad for two Nations League matches with Greece and the Republic of Ireland over the next few days.

Nobody is certain of the extent of Saka and Rice's complaints - and Wright took the opportunity to defend their withdrawals from the squad after the ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker's comments. "What I would say in respect to the players that have pulled out, you would like to have seen them there," the 61-year-old explained.

"But we are talking about a period of time where the players have seen that the FA have chosen not to have the manager for this game.

"What kind of message are you sending to the players? I'm not going to blame the players or question integrity of the players in respect of them joining up, but if they have got the knocks and they feel like they're going to sit out this one, then the opportunity should be for those coming in.

"The big issue is the scheduling, that's what it comes down to. The managers are talking about it, the players are talking about it, people are getting injured and they are glossing over that."

Referring to Kane's comments specifically, Wright went on: "I was very surprised if I am totally honest as you are talking about somebody who has been in the trenches with those guys. Every single England call-up is important, every single one is an opportunity and it just felt like we are talking about the captain of a bunch of players who has said that Gareth [Southgate] has brought them together and everything is so strong - to go from all that unity in the squad to then a few withdrawals and then you're hearing the lack of commitment.

"Again, I have to go back to the FA. The FA have chosen not to have their [new] manager here.

"They've kind of set a precedent for it, but for Harry to say that about the players he's been in the trenches with, two finals, semi-finals of the World Cup. Knowing the calibre of the players, to then say he is disappointed to see them not coming, especially with the fixtures and how the game is going crazy, it was a bit of a shock to me.

"The thing is, he knows these guys. He knows these guys, I can't understand it.

"We are talking about a time where it's an opportunity to get themselves fit. They know what is going on, nobody is taking liberties with Lee Carsley or Thomas Tuchel.

"The fact is they have taken this opportunity to try and get themselves fit for their clubs." After three international breaks in successive months, November's Nations League matches represent a final meet-up until March, when ex-Chelsea manager Tuchel will become England's head coach.

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