Tag: David Wagner

USMNT forward Sargent in doubt for Copa America as ankle injury returns

The forward has been dealing with ankle issues for most of the season

Josh Sargent’s troublesome ankle injury could keep the U.S. men’s national team striker out of the Copa América.

Sargent was withdrawn at halftime on Thursday, as Norwich City fell 4-0 to Leeds in the second leg of a Championship playoff semifinal.

The striker was also forced off late in the first leg as he continues to battle a lingering injury from earlier in the season.

Sargent broke his ankle early in the season and was forced to miss four months after surgery. The 24-year-old managed to put together a prolific campaign after returning, scoring 16 goals, but periodically battled recurring ankle soreness.

Following Thursday’s game, Norwich head coach David Wagner admitted that the striker was a doubt for the USMNT this summer.

“We have managed him more or less the whole time since he got back from his injury. I think everyone knows this. It is great credit to Josh with what he has done and how hard he has worked,” Wagner said.

“What this means now for the summer? At the minute I have no idea. There is going to be for sure some thorough investigations and assessment of him, to see how serious it is and what he has to do to come back to his best in pre-season.”

Sargent was called in for the Nations League finals in March, but was forced to withdraw from the U.S. roster due to his ankle injury.

The USMNT will kick off the Copa América on June 23 against Bolivia.

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Norwich faces nervous wait over Sargent status for Championship playoff vs. Leeds

Sargent faces a race against time to recover for the second leg against Leeds

Norwich City will be hoping for good news after watching leading goalscorer Josh Sargent depart the first leg of its promotion playoff against Leeds with an injury.

The U.S. men’s national team forward was forced off in the 84th minute, and manager David Wagner confirmed that the issue was with the same ankle that required surgery earlier this season.

Sargent missed nearly four full months for the Canaries, only to return to play in inspired form. The Missouri native scored 13 times in 22 matches, helping Norwich claim the final spot in the Championship’s promotion playoffs.

However, Sargent took a seat away from the ball late on against Leeds, departing a tense 0-0 draw at Carrow Road in the 84th minute. After receiving treatment briefly, Sargent slowly walked off under his own power.

Wagner hopes ‘tough guy’ Sargent returns

Speaking to reporters after the match, Wagner offered some hope that the USMNT striker would be available in Thursday’s second leg at Elland Road.

“Obviously [Sargent] wasn’t able to carry on,” said Wagner. “I haven’t spoken with him or the medical department in any detail. I think he has some problems with his ankle again.

“But, he’s a tough guy, and obviously it’s a big game. I hope and I think he will be fine.”

Norwich’s task will be simple: win on Thursday, and the Canaries will move on to the world’s most lucrative one-off match, a one-game playoff final at Wembley against either West Brom or Southampton. With no away goals rule in place, a draw by any score will send the tie to extra time.

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Norwich boss Wagner: Sargent injury return expected by January

The striker underwent surgery this month for an ankle ligaments injury

Norwich City head coach David Wagner has said Josh Sargent is expected to return from his ankle injury by January.

Sargent underwent surgery after suffering the injury last month in Norwich’s match against Huddersfield. The U.S. men’s national team striker was off to a hot start with the Championship outfit, scoring three goals in four league matches to open the new campaign.

Speaking to reporters, Wagner said he is hopeful that the 23-year-old will return before the new year.

“We saw Josh on Wednesday the first time in the building after his surgery,” Wagner said. “Looks good. Obviously, I’ve spoken with him and he does not need any painkillers any longer, which is the good information. Next week, he gets out of stitches, which is then the next step and it still is the time frame which we set — Christmas, early January — when we hope to have him come back.

“Everything went well so far. But now obviously it’s all about recovery and then to have a proper rehab, and then a proper build up of his fitness,”

Sargent last featured for the USMNT at the World Cup in Qatar, where he played in all three group-stage matches. Overall, the Missouri native has scored five USMNT goals in 23 caps.

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Norwich coach: Sargent will miss ‘months’ with ankle injury

The 23-year-old is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines

Josh Sargent is set to miss “months, not weeks” with an ankle injury suffered over the weekend, according to Norwich City head coach David Wagner.

Sargent injured his ankle while scoring the opening goal in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Huddersfield. The striker blocked a clearance from goalkeeper Lee Nicholls and as he leapt to head into an open net, the trailing Nicholls barged him over and landed on his ankle.

Speaking to the media after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Bristol City, Wagner confirmed that Sargent was set to miss a significant portion of the season.

“We still don’t have a clear picture, but what is sure is it’s a serious injury,” Wagner said. “So we speak more about months than weeks. We have to make a further assessment with him.

“He sees a further consultant and I think we have a clearer picture at the end of the week to know how many months and if he needs surgery, but it’s a serious injury, which we expected.”

Asked if the injury was to Sargent’s ankle ligaments, Wagner said: “Exactly.”

The injury is a major blow to club and player, with Sargent scoring three goals in four Championship matches to start to the new campaign. That followed a 13-goal campaign in the Championship last term.

Sargent looks likely to miss U.S. men’s national team matches in September, October and November. The 23-year-old last featured for the USMNT at the World Cup in Qatar, where he played in all three group-stage matches.

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