ASN Injury Report
Josh Gatt and Stuart Holden Eyeing Return to Pitch
In his weekly report, American Soccer Now's Nick Kariuki provides updates on John Brooks’ ligament strain, Jonathan Spector’s thigh injury, Eric Lichaj’s early exit last weekend, and more.
BY
Nick Kariuki
Posted
January 08, 2014
10:18 AM
Hertha Berlin’s John Brooks suffered a knee ligament strain in training on Monday and will be out of action for the next 10 to 14 days, according to the club. As a result, Brooks will miss the club’s training camp in Belek, Turkey.
In Liga MX, Tigres’ Jose Torres played no part in the side’s 2014 Clausura-opener against Club América because of a muscle problem. América won the match 3-0 and Tigres will next face Pachuca this Saturday.
Birmingham City’s Jonathan Spector is still out with a thigh injury that, despite a rehabilitation setback in December, should keep him sidelined until late January.
Due to an undisclosed injury, possibly a groin strain, Eric Lichaj came off in the 58th minute of Nottingham Forest's 5-0 thumping of West Ham United over the weekend. More details as we get them.
Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden talked with the Bolton News about how he will be staying with the club for the final stages of his rehab, which has stepped up to grass work and cardiovascular work. The midfielder discussed how his primary goal is regaining his starting place and becoming a leader for Bolton, where his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Holden had this to say: “My attitude is that I’m going to be back out on that field and no longer be that cheerleader off the field–I want to be a leader on it for Bolton Wanderers.”
As far as making it back to the U.S. national team, Holden remains optimistic but grounded. “The World Cup is obviously something I want to be a part of again,” he said. “In the back of my mind of course I have thought, ‘If you don’t get to Brazil it’s not the end of the world.’ It doesn’t mean it’s any less of a goal.”
Video of Molde’s Josh Gatt training with a ball and in a gym popped up on YouTube last week. Gatt is aiming to return for preseason training with the Norwegian club in late January. Former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a big Gatt advocate, recently left Molde to take the reins at Cardiff City.
Yesterday Sacha Kjlestan rejoined the Anderlecht squad for the side’s midseason preparations in Abu Dhabi. Kljestan’s calf strain kept him out of the squad that saw out 2013 with a 1-0 win over SV Zulte Waregem. Anderlecht resumes its Belgian League campaign when it faces Mechelen on January 19.
Clarence Goodson and Landon Donovan were among the names on Jurgen Klinsman’s 26-man roster for the U.S. national team’s training camp, which started on Monday. Both players missed out on the national team’s last two friendlies because of ankle injuries picked up at the close of the MLS season. The January camp will conclude on February 1 with a friendly against South Korea.
Seattle Sounders star Clint Dempsey began his two-month loan spell at former club Fulham by playing in the side’s FA Cup third round match against Norwich City. Fulham tied the match 1-1 and will replay it at home on January 14. Dempsey’s MLS season ended with a calf strain that kept him from playing in the national team’s last two friendlies. He previously played at Fulham for six seasons, scoring 60 goals. The Cottagers next host Sunderland this Saturday in a league fixture.
