Injury worry for USA’s Altidore

(GSM) – Another blow has been dealt to an oft-injured USA side as star striker Jozy Altidore left training on Thursday with a sprained ankle.

The 20-year-old striker, who played last season on loan at Hull City, figured to be the Americans’ central striker when they open World Cup play a week from Saturday in a much-anticipated showdown with England.

USA officials said the injury occurred in the team’s training session and that Altidore will be monitored from day to day in the run-up to the England game.

The Americans, who are without Charlie Davies and are only just getting Oguchi Onyewu and Stuart Holden back from major injuries, have been hit with countless injuries to star players since qualifying for the finals.

It is unlikely that Altidore will play in the USA’s final tune-up match on Saturday against Australia.

Altidore already has nine goals in 25 appearances for the Americans.