U.S. fans itching for Jermaine Jones' debut with the national team may have to wait longer than expected. The midfielder "may need another surgery to address the shin fracture he had surgery for this summer," reports Ives Galarcep. Jones attempted to train with Schalke 04 in recent weeks, but nagging pain in his leg has caused Schalke officials to consider other recovery options, one of which is another surgery. Undergoing another procedure would likely rule out Jones for the rest of the year as a U.S. national team option. Schalke coach Felix Magath stated that a decision on the proper course of action would be made in the middle of this week.
Meanwhile, Jones awaits clearance from FIFA to be eligible to play for the national team under a new rule that allows players to switch national teams after the age of 21. Jones' clearance, which involves permission from the German soccer federation, is expected in time for the U.S. team's qualifiers vs. Honduras and Costa Rica on Oct. 11th and 14th. But his eligibility might prove moot given the new complications with his injury.