ASN Injury Report
Stu Holden Checks in; Seb Hines Could Get a Start
In a blissfully slow week for injury news among United States national team candidates, Nick Kariuki provides updates on a handful of England- and Germany-based players.
BY
Nick Kariuki
Posted
December 18, 2013
12:01 PM
Birmingham City’s Jonathan Spector remains sidelined with a thigh injury. Teammate David Murphy is the latest addition to an injury list that has left the Blues scrambling for defensive options. Blues manager Lee Clark told the Birmingham Mail on Friday: “I don’t know what it is with the full-back scenario because the injuries at both right-back and left-back have been absolutely horrendous.” Spector is still expected to return to fitness in late January.
Weather delays hampered Stuart Holden’s return to the UK but he was still able to see part of Bolton Wanderers’ Sunday fixture at Wigan Athletic. Holden managed to stop by the dressing room during halftime and watched the final 45 minutes from the stands. “It’s great to have Stu back around the place,” Bolton Manager Dougie Freedman told the Birmingham Mail after the game. “I know he’s still a long, long way away but to have him back adds to the spirit.” According to the club’s website, Holden will spend a couple of weeks being assessed by the team’s medical staff before returning to the U.S. to see out the rest of his rehab work. This keeps Holden’s projected return to training at about six to eight weeks.
To further put to rest transfer rumors surrounding Landon Donovan, The Galaxy star confirmed in a Sunday town hall meeting that he will not be loaned out over the January transfer period. Donovan picked up a lingering ankle injury by the end of the MLS season and will take the time to rest before attending the U.S. training camp in January.
Middlesbrough’s Seb Hines did not make the squad for Saturday’s match against Watford. Hines has not played for the side since recovering from his recurring hamstring injury and the arrival of new manager of Aitor Karanka. The match against Watford ended in a 2-2 draw and saw Boro’s captain Jonathan Woodgate forced off with quad muscle injury, which may convince Karanka to try Hines as a replacement this Saturday against Millwall.
FC Nurnberg’s Timothy Chandler seemed to shake off the minor knock that he picked up against FSV Mainz. The right back played the full 90 minutes in Nurnberg’s 3-3 draw against Hannover on Saturday. Hannover’s Steve Cherundolo was an unused substitute for the game.
Matt West/isiphotos.com
