MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann said he remains hopeful that forward Clint Dempsey, who is currently not cleared to play due to an irregular heartbeat, will come back to the U.S. national team next year.
Dempsey was first sidelined by the ailment in late August, resulting in him missing the two most recent World Cup qualifiers for the U.S. team against St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well Trinidad & Tobago. Dempsey's club, the Seattle Sounders, then allowed him to resume light training in mid-September, only to decide last week to shut him down for the remainder of the calendar year.
"We follow 100 percent the advice and direction of the Sounders and their decision to kind of rest [Dempsey] for the rest of the season," Klinsmann told reporters here prior to Tuesday's training session.
"Then [we] get it all cleared by the medical staff there. We're very positive about having him back, and then hopefully in the January camp, and then take it one step at a time. There is still a lot of positive thoughts about Clint coming back to us."
The news was slightly better regarding midfielder Jermaine Jones, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since early July.
"[Jones] seems to be now much, much better" Klinsmann said of the German-born midfielder who has resumed training with his club team the Colorado Rapids.
Klinsmann added that the absence of both players will provide opportunities for fringe players to state their case for more playing time, much like Sacha Kljestan did last month in scoring against both World Cup qualifiers.
"Sacha knew coming in that he was only there because somebody else was injured or unavailable and he used that opportunity," said Klinsmann. "Similar to now, in Jermaine's area, when you're talking about a No. 8 playing position in the center of midfield, it's a Danny Williams now. He's so far playing a very good season at Reading.
"Now is your moment. You were not with us; you were not part of Copa America. Perry Kitchen, coming back in, just prior to those two qualifier games, he had a little injury.
"So they know it's all about timing. They know the roster may look very different four weeks from now. So don't miss that moment. Make your impression. That's why we tell them, every training session has a lot of meaning to us, and hopefully they can make their case."