Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says he is hopeful that American defender Geoff Cameron will return for this weekend's match against Southampton after sitting out the previous three weeks with a hamstring injury.
With captain Ryan Shawcross set to miss out due to a back injury, and Bruno Martins Indi sidelined by a groin strain, Cameron's return will provide a valuable boost.
"[Cameron] is probably the one we feel has got a good chance to take part," Hughes said.
The news will provide some comfort to U.S. national team manager Bruce Arena as well. Arena is set to name his squad for World Cup qualifiers against Panama, and Trinidad & Tobago in the next couple of days, and Cameron remains an important piece of the U.S. team, given his experience and ability to lead the U.S. defense.
Earlier this week, Arena said that Cameron's availability "remains to be seen," though he said the defender is likely to be on the squad. Playing in this weekend's match for Stoke will certainly increase the odds that Cameron sees the field for the U.S.
The U.S., currently outside the automatic CONCACAF qualifying places, will play Panama in Orlando on Oct. 6, and then take on the Soca Warriors in Couva, Trinidad, four days later.