When will USWNT star Tobin Heath return from injury? Women's World Cup winner's absence explained

Heath was playing in England with Arsenal for the first half of 2022, joining the club she supported during her childhood ahead of the 2021-22 season.

But her time with the Gunners came to a premature end due to a hamstring injury. Her contract was terminated by mutual consent so that Heath could return to the U.S. to receive treatment.

After overcoming that problem, the forward joined OL Reign and made her first appearance in three months when she came on as a substitute in a defeat to the Kansas City Current last July.

However, five appearances and one goal later, Heath was again on the sidelines. This time it was her knee causing the problem and she underwent season-ending surgery to treat the injury in September.

“Although this wasn’t an easy decision, we know this was the right decision,” said Reign coach Laura Harvey.

Heath herself posted to Instagram after the surgery, writing: “No one said it would be easy."

Heath's season ending early meant she was unable to contribute to the Reign's postseason. The club went into that as the 2022 NWSL Shield winner but was unable to claim an elusive NWSL Championship, despite it being the third time it has added the Shield to its trophy cabinet.

The Kansas City Current progressed to the final instead, beating the Reign 2-0 in the semi-final but losing by the same scoreline to the Portland Thorns in the big game.

Heath was then made a free agent ahead of the 2023 season so is currently not under contract with a club. She has not been involved for the USWNT since being on the roster in October 2021 for a pair of friendlies against South Korea, either.

Heath did not play at the 2023 Women's World Cup as she had not returned to action before Andonovski's 23-player roster was announced on June 21.

Despite the forward being without a club and having not played any minutes since last August, the coach had not closed the door on her chances.

In February, he said Heath was in "return-to-play protocol" and could be in his squad for the April games. When she missed out on that roster, he was again asked about her - as well as Press and Macario - and stated once more that they are in "return-to-play protocol".

"In order to prepare to play in the World Cup, they have to be able to play significant minutes in a professional environment," the coach added.

Sadly, Heath has yet to return to the pitch and therefore was unable to do that in time to be in contention for the 2023 Women's World Cup roster.

While any team would no doubt benefit from the quality and experience that Heath can provide, the USWNT is blessed with a plethora of talented forwards right now and that depth was helping to make up for several high profile absentees.

However, the attack failed to click at what was an incredibly disappointing 2023 Women's World Cup campaign, one which saw the USWNT crash out in the last 16. It was the team's earliest ever exit in the competition.

That wasn't the only problem that led to the premature elimination and head coach Andonovski leaving his post, though, with there plenty of issues contributing to the failure.

There is not currently any knowledge of when Heath could return to action after her surgery.

Given she is without a club now, the only updates on her situation are coming from the player herself and there have been few soccer-related updates across her social media.

The most positive sign to date came from a video posted to Instagram on January 1 which showed the forward kicking a ball around in a garden.

In March, USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski was asked about Heath's situation and said she was in "return-to-play protocol", suggesting she is not far away from a return.

Where will that take place? It is unclear at this moment.