By DAN KARELL
John Brooks’ potential inclusion in the U.S. Men’s National Team squad for their upcoming two qualifiers is now in some doubt.
After undergoing medical tests on Monday, Brooks was diagnosed with a tear in his forearm and a hyperextension of the right elbow. The club announced these reports on their official Twitter account, with the timeline of two to three weeks on the sidelines before Brooks can return to full fitness.
Brooks departed in the 20th minute of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Freiburg with the injury, which comes at a bad time for the 20-year-old central defender.
If his rehabilitation started on Monday, it would mean that the earliest he could be back is on October 7, four days before the USMNT’s penultimate World Cup qualifier in against Jamaica in Kansas City, and eight days ahead of their final Hexagonal match at Panama.
Brooks was in the USMNT squad for their 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica, though he didn’t make an appearance and was released to return to Germany after that match instead of traveling to Columbus. It looked likely though that Brooks, who made his first and so far only appearance for the USA in their 4-2 victory at Bosnia and Herzegovina, would be in the next U.S. squad, though this injury puts that into some doubt.
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What do you think of these developments? Do you see Brooks’ injury keeping him out of the next USMNT squad? Do you see Klinsmann selecting him regardless of the injury?
Share your thoughts below.