Jermaine Jones' chances of making his debut with the U.S. men's national team may have taken a major hit after word that he may need another surgery to address the shin fracture he had surgery for this summer.
Jones had attempted to training with Schalke 04 in recent weeks, but continued to feel pain in his leg, prompting Schalke officials to consider new options, one of which could be to perform another surgery. Schalke manager Felix Magath stated that a decision would be made in the middle of this week on what to do. If Jones undergoes another procedure, Jones would likely be ruled out for the rest of the year as a U.S. national team option.
Jones is still awaiting clearance from FIFA to be eligible to play for the U.S. men's national team under the new rule that allows players to switch national teams after the age of 21. Defender Edgar Castillo was recently approved for his switch, but Jones delay is said to involve receiving clearance from the German Soccer Federation. Jones played in unofficial friendlies for Germany. Jones had been expected to receive clearance in time for the U.S. team's World Cup qualifiers vs. Honduras on Oct. 11 and Costa Rica on Oct. 14, but that may be moot now given Jones' injury issue.
What do you think of this development? Disappointed that Jones is looking like less of an option this year? Willing to wait as long as it means he could be in the mix for the 2010 World Cup? Anxious to see Jones wearing the USA kit?
Share your thoughts below.