Christian Pulisic has been ruled out of the United States’ internationals against Wales and Panama due to a hamstring injury.
The American will now go back to his club Chelsea to rehabilitate, head coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed.
The 22-year-old has only just returned from a lengthy layoff, but his progress was disrupted in the warm-up in the Blues’ win at Burnley on 31 October, with a hamstring issue discovered after tests.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard had said Pulisic's latest injury was not serious and the player travelled to Swansea to link up with the national team ahead of Thursday's clash at Wales.
"Christian is a big part of our group," Berhalter told a news conference on Wednesday, while confirming Pulisic would immediately return to Chelsea.
"He has been working through an injury but it really says a lot that he wanted to come into camp, be around the guys and continue to be a leader with this team."
Berhalter's side, who are playing their first international games since February after the COVID-19 pandemic forced their World Cup qualifiers to be postponed, face Panama on Monday.
Reuters
