USMNT, Norwich striker Josh Sargent to miss two months after undergoing surgery for groin injury as Mauricio Pochettino's injury woes mount

U.S. international Josh Sargent will miss the next international break as the forward set to miss eight weeks after undergoing groin surgery, Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup said at a press conference Monday. The American missed this weekend's 2-1 loss to Cardiff City, and will be unavailable for the USMNT's Nations League quarterfinal tie with Jamaica. With Balogun also on the treatment table due to a shoulder injury, Pochettino must now look deeper into his striker pool for his starting No.9.

The injury seems to come at an unfortunate time for Sargent, who was finding form for the Canaries. He has tallied nine goal contributions in 12 appearances so far this season, following a year in which he managed 16 in 26 appearances - with injuries once again derailing his campaign.

It does, however, give Pochettino some options to experiment up front, with Haji Wright, Brandon Vasquez, and Ricardo Pepi all able to play as a No.9 in the upcoming contests.

Thorup explained the nature of Sargent's injury at a press conference: "He [Sargent] is going to require surgery, so we're looking at eight weeks. It's not the ideal scenario for anybody. We have options and possibilities for other players to come in."

The striker faces around two months out, but will look to be healthy by the Christmas period. That would mean he would be ready to feature for the USMNT at the turn of the new year. What Pochettino does later this month remains to be seen, but Pepi, Vasquez, and Wright will be waiting in the wings.