Saka scored twice in England's World Cup opening group-stage 6-2 win against Iran but did not find the net against the United States in the following match.

The 21-year-old Arsenal winger was then an unused substitute in the 3-0 win over Wales, with goalscorers Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford both preferred.

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But Saka will now make his return to the starting line-up against Senegal on Sunday, as Gareth Southgate's team look to make the quarter-finals for the third successive major tournament.

Carra: Saka change shows strength in depth

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:

"What Southgate has got with his four wide forwards - Rashford and Foden playing the last game with Saka and Sterling playing the two games before - I don't think there's a huge difference with what he goes with.

"The fact he can chop and change shows how much strength in depth he's got in those wide areas. I just felt that Foden and Rashford were the right ones to go with, just because they were so confident in the last game, but then again you go to the first game and you think of how good Sterling and Saka were in that Iran game.

"I'm not shocked or surprised with what he does in the wide areas because we've got so much quality there. It's the one area in the squad where there is real competition for places."

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Defensive mindset the reason?

Sky Sports News' senior reporter Rob Dorsett

"There's no doubt Saka has been on brilliant form for Arsenal this season. Saka got the nod against Iran and was player of the match. He brought an energy to that attack, but also with a defensive midnset, and I think that's probably what has got him the nod today.

"Southgate knows he can rely on Saka to get back if there are any breaks, he has the pace and energy to make sure that happens, because this is going to be an athletic Senegal side.

"Nevertheless, it's a huge call."

What does Saka inclusion mean for attacking line-up?

Sky Sports News' senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

"Despite all the talk of an unchanged line-up, Saka is set to start. So one of Phil Foden or Marcus Rashford is expected to miss out.

"The fact Saka was rested in the last game, perhaps means this was always planned.

"That leaves a talking point over what Southgate will do elsewhere in attack. Foden and Rashford both offer something different - Rashford is direct but Foden's grace and dynamism on the ball was on show against Wales. But I don't think there will be many complaints about Saka's inclusion.

"Raheem Sterling is also someone Southgate trusts, and Southgate has never started a knockout game without him; the Sterling-Kane combination has been one of the bedrocks of his management."

Reporter notebook: Who else will start for England?

Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett:

The bulk of the side will no doubt remain unchanged. As, I expect, will the formation - 4-3-3 has worked well for England in the tournament so far, allowing them an extra man in midfield, so I would expect that to remain constant.

The back four is likely to be the same, though it's a toss-up between Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier at right-back. Walker could well win that battle - his exceptional pace is a characteristic that Southgate has always valued, though without Trippier in the team, England lose some expertise with set pieces.

Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are certain picks in the midfield, and Jordan Henderson could well get the nod ahead of Mason Mount, because of his extra experience and stabilising presence.

We know Harry Kane will lead the line for England, even though he is yet to score in this World Cup. The captain is not playing at full pace, but he insisted in the pre-match news conference he is fully fit and feeling great.

His involvement is still very valuable: three assists match the most any Englishman has managed at a World Cup since David Beckham more than two decades ago.

So the biggest areas of contention surround England's wide attacking positions, which have been the subject of much debate since the win over Wales. In truth, long before that game too.

Expect Jack Grealish to remain as England's super-sub, and so it's a question of 'which two from four', with persuasive arguments possible for each of Rashford, Foden, Sterling and Saka.

Saka is expected to start, while Southgate said in his pre-match news conference that he's "not sure there's a right or wrong" choice, because all four are exceptional and each of them offers something different. That's very true.

He also pointed out - correctly - that with five substitutes available, each of them has the possibility of making an impact off the bench.

Amongst the media massive there's speculation that, because Henderson, Rashford and Foden have done media interviews in the last few days, they must be in the starting team. I'm not sure the FA or Southgate works like that.

England's potential route to the World Cup final

Round of 16 - Sunday December 4
England vs Senegal - Kick-off 7pm

Quarter-finals - Saturday December 10
England vs France or Poland - Kick-off 7pm

Semi-finals - Wednesday December 14
England vs Morocco/Spain/Portugal/Switzerland - Kick-off 7pm

Last-16 fixtures

Saturday December 3
Netherlands 3-1 USA
Argentina 2-1 Australia

Sunday December 4
France (Winners of Group D) vs Poland (Runners-up of Group C) - Kick-off 3pm
England (Winners of Group B) vs Senegal (Runners-up of Group A) - Kick-off 7pm

Monday December 5
Japan (Cinners of Group E) vs Croatia (Runners-up of Group F) - Kick-off 3pm
Brazil (Winners of Group G) vs South Korea (Runners-up of Group H) - Kick-off 7pm

Tuesday December 6
Morocco (Winners of Group F) vs Spain (Runners-up of Group E) - Kick-off 3pm
Portugal (Winners of Group H) vs Switzerland (Runners-up of Group G) - Kick-off 7pm