England's Burn swaps football boots for cowboy boots as Saka follows individual programme ahead of Ghana clash

Off-pitch relaxation

Dan Burn, Harry Kane and Jason Steele attended an Ella Langley concert in Independence, Missouri on Friday, with the 34-year-old defender decked out in a newly purchased cowboy hat and boots. Burn said he "kitted out" properly and "luckily there's no photos kicking about." The trio left before the final three songs to honour curfew, with Burn noting it was "not a 'night out'" and that the squad had struck a healthy balance between focus and downtime. Kane, described by Burn as "a big country music fan," met the singer before the show and later posted an Instagram photo with her holding an England shirt.

Burn, on his first major tournament, revealed that the days in Kansas City have also included a baseball game and a family visit. "For me it's just about getting that balance between when I'm training, I'm really focused, but away from football, I'm trying to relax," he said.

“I like country music so I had a cowboy hat on and cowboy boots, luckily there's no photos kicking about.”

Saka managing Achilles issue

Bukayo Saka was the only player absent from group training on Saturday, working indoors on an individual programme as he continues to deal with an Achilles problem that has troubled him since March. The 24-year-old came off the bench in the opening win over Croatia and provided an assist, but head coach Thomas Tuchel has signalled he will not start until the final Group L game against Panama on 27 June.

“Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready.”

Saka said before the tournament he was prepared to "gamble" on his fitness to feature, though Tuchel is reluctant to push the winger, who is likely to be a crucial asset in the knockout rounds.

Tuchel's demanding training session

During the 15-minute open window of Saturday's session in Kansas City, Tuchel, wearing a UV-protective hoodie, was highly vocal as he urged players to control the ball with the correct foot and accelerate play through mannequin drills. He zeroed in on full-back Djed Spence, telling him to "wake up" and that it had "been five minutes already." Burn said later that Tuchel "calls it out" when he sees something he dislikes, describing the approach as refreshingly honest. The session, observed by members of the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals, was designed to sharpen England's passing and movement ahead of the Ghana match.

Squad fitness boost

Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice both trained on Saturday after minor injury concerns from the Croatia game. Rashford, who scored the fourth goal, had a slight muscular complaint and Rice was substituted after feeling discomfort in his lower back and upper hamstring, but both moved freely during the session. With Saka likely to start on the bench again, Noni Madueke is expected to keep his place on the right flank at Gillette Stadium in Boston.

Group L schedule

England top the group after one round and face Ghana on Tuesday (21:00 BST), before closing the group stage against Panama on Saturday, 27 June (22:00 BST). The brief Kansas City interlude has mixed country music, baseball and exacting training under the Missouri sun.