Howard Out Of USA Games

Tim Howard has been withdrawn from the USA squad that will play two friendlies during the current international break.

The Blues keeper has damaged fibres on the underside of his foot and the decision was made to pull him from the matches in Slovakia on Saturday and Denmark the following Wednesday.

“I have spoken to the US medical team and they are perfectly happy with the situation,” said Everton’s Head Physio, Mick Rathbone.

“We’ll work with Tim here and monitor the injury very closely.”

USA comfortably qualified for the World Cup from their CONCACAF group and Head Coach Bob Bradley will use the two European friendly games as a chance to take a closer look at some of the players trying to force their way into his thinking.

Howard will undoubtedly be the number one choice between the sticks after keeping six clean sheets during the qualifying run but there will inevitably be other places up for grabs.

“These matches present a terrific opportunity to continue building on the nucleus of our team, and at the same time evaluate more of the player pool against very good opponents,” said Bradley.

“We are very pleased with what we have accomplished in a long and challenging year, and we move forward with the goal of getting ourselves ready to be a competitive team in the World Cup.”

To read Mick Rathbone's latest blog from the treatment room click here.