By DAN KARELL
It’s looking likely that Jermaine Jones won’t be available for selection when U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann picks his next squad.
According to a report in German publication BILD, Schalke have scheduled for Jones to have surgery on his ailing meniscus, which would keep him off the field for up to six weeks.
“It’s true that the club has taken me out of the squad,” Jones told BILD. “I’m taking this opportunity to have surgery on my meniscus. Regardless of the club’s decision (to have surgery now), an operation would have been inevitable because of persistent pain.”
Jones came off in the 88th minute of Schalke’s 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim on Saturday. After evaluating the 31-year-old midfielder, the club decided to keep him out of their UEFA Champions League squad that will face FC Basel on Tuesday, and opted for the surgery.
This isn’t the first time this year that injury has forced Jones out of the USMNT squad. Last March, Jones suffered a sprained ankle in the infamous “Snow Game” against Costa Rica, which kept him out of the match at Mexico. Jones also was forced out of the U.S. side for their match against Panama last June, after suffering a head injury while playing at Jamaica four days earlier.
The most recent injury could now leave Klinsmann without his regular central midfield duo of Jones and Michael Bradley for the final two World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica and Panama in October. Bradley suffered a grade two ankle sprain, and is still sidelined with his club side AS Roma.
What do you think of this report? Do you see Jones returning in time for the November USMNT friendly matches? Who do you see Klinsmann starting in Jones’ place?
Share your thoughts below.