By IVES GALARCEP
Young American defender Will Packwood has had his promising first season with Birmingham City cut short after suffering a horrific leg break during the club’s FA Cup third-round loss to Leeds United on Saturday.
Packwood, 19, suffered a broken tibia and fibula after a collision with Leeds striker Luciano Becchio. An injury that will end his first season as a pro.
Packwood had enjoyed a promising first season with the Blues, making five first-team appearances in League Championship play.
It is too early to know just how long Packwood will need to recover, but he will miss the remainder of the current English season and looks very unlikely to be a part of the U.S. Under-20 World Cup team (assuming the team qualifies for the World Cup). The Under-20 World Cup starts on June 21st. Packwood was expected to be a key figure on the U.S. Under-20 World Cup team.
UPDATE– Packwood provided some insight into the severity of his injury via Twitter, delivering this message on Sunday morning in England:
For those asking, it appears I have a double tib+fib fracture. Broken in as many as four places. Long road to recover…but not impossible!
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What do you think of this development? Who do you see picking up the slack on the U.S. Under-20 national team?
Share your thoughts below.