Josh Sargent a Copa America doubt for USMNT after striker exits Norwich's Championship playoff semifinal with ankle injury

Norwich lost 4-0 to Leeds on Thursday in the second leg of their English Championship playoff semifinal, meaning the Canaries will be stuck in the second division of England for another season in 2024/25. Less than 24 hours after the final whistle, Norwich announced the sacking of head coach David Wagner, too. But more worryingly, Sargent left the field at halftime of the match with a recurrence of an ankle injury that hit him in March.

The Athletic reports that he's now a doubt for the USMNT at this summer's marquee event. Regardless, his campaign was a brilliant one and it will ultimately go down as one of progress - despite the setbacks. The American was sidelined for nearly five months to begin the season, but an emphatic five-month stretch in 2024 saw him score at a prolific rate to send the Canaries climbing towards the top of the table. With 16 league goals, the U.S. international helped earn them a spot in the playoffs, but it wasn't enough to get them over the line.

“We have managed him more or less the whole time since he got back from his injury. I think everyone knows this. It is great credit to Josh with what he has done and how hard he has worked. What this means now for the summer? At the minute I have no idea. There is going to be for sure some thorough investigations and assessment of him, to see how serious it is and what he has to do to come back to his best in pre-season.”

Sargent has not appeared for the USMNT since 2022, as injuries have hampered his availability. 2024 was supposed to be his return, but a tough string of luck may have hit him again.

Sargent is on the radar of many Premier League sides this summer, but it remains unknown if a transfer is on the horizon. His recent injury won't help his case, if it proves to be a serious one. U.S. fans will now anxiously wait to hear the news about the severity of the issue.