Norwich City striker Josh Sargent is expected to start in the Canaries’ upcoming Championship clash at Swansea on Saturday, despite injury concerns about the American on international duty.
Sargent did not feature in USA’s internationals in the past two weeks. The 24-year-old was unused as the USNMT fell to a 2-1 loss against Canada and had a 1-1 draw with New Zealand. Originally, journalist Doug McIntyre reported that the striker sustained an ankle injury with the national team.
However, these concerns have been dismissed by Johannes Hoff Thorup ahead of Norwich’s trip to Swansea this weekend. As reported by the Pink Un, the Canaries head coach confirmed that Sargent would be available as the Norfolk outfit prepare for their visit to South Wales. In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Thorup confirmed that Sargent would join the squad for training and be in the matchday squad.
Happy Thursday folks!
🇺🇸 Josh Sargent is available for #NCFC’s trip to #Swans 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/sMpqpinfcD
— The Pink Un (@pinkun) September 12, 2024
“It is the other ankle. It is not related to any previous problems,” he said. “He felt something in his ankle after one of the early training sessions. Again, it was a decision based on how many minutes he could actually play in that second friendly and the decision was it was okay to go back home, take care of that ankle, and not take any risks.
“If everything goes well and according to our plans then he will be in training on Friday and involved in the game on Saturday.”
Sargent has established himself as a key player at Carrow Road in the last 10 months. Despite sitting out the opening third of the 2023/24 Championship season with an ankle injury, the US national returned in top form. In just 26 games last season, Sargent struck 16 goals and made two assists, per Transfermarkt.
In the new Championship season, Sargent has continued his impressive form. The former Werder Bremen player has played a role in three of Norwich’s four league goals in the 2024/25 season. He scored and assisted in the 2-2 home draw against Blackburn. Sargent struck again as the Canaries held Sheffield United to a 1-1 stalemate, recorded by Whoscored.
Writer’s View
Sargent’s likely involvement in the Championship will be a boost for Norwich. The team have struggled for goals elsewhere across the pitch and the American’s presence can provide a serious attacking threat. Moreover, Thorup will be eager to keep a settled side as the Canaries notched their first win of the campaign against QPR before the international break.
However, whether Norwich’s join-top scorer is fully fit or not remains to be seen. If Sargent was unable to feature for the USNMT in recent matches, will he be ready to start at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday?
