Injury news

Clint Dempsey returned to action yesterday in Fulham's 3-1 loss to Juventus in the Europa League, making a 30 minute appearance off the bench.

Charlie Davies is back in France and might recover in time to play for his club Sochaux.

Oguchi Onyewu will probably not return for AC Milan, who could have used him mid week during their 4-0 to Manchester United, will probably be recovered in time for South Africa.

Jermaine Jones who switched affiliations from Germany to the USA, has yet to play for his club team Schalke 04, his return remains in doubt.

Stuart Holden broke his leg in the Netherlands friendly just as he was breaking in at Bolton Wanderers and will be out for about 4 more weeks.

These are all players that would be in running for a spot in the side if they were fit and would provide BB with more flexibility in selecting his XI.

Pondering Formations W/O Charlie Davies

Charlie Davies is back in France training with his club Sochaux, but if he is not in full game fitness for South Africa who does BB put next to Jozy Altidore in his 4-4-2. I propose that Bradley switch to 4-3-1-2. In the formation you would have a trio of Edu, Bradley, and Clark holding down the midfield. With Clark and Edu playing more defensive midfield roles and Bradley playing a play making role in the midfield playing balls to the forwards. This would place Donovan in a central playmaking role running in behind the striker pairing of Dempsey and Altidore. This formation would place Bradley ,Edu and Clark in roles that would see them thrive as ball winners. A counter attack of Dempsey, Donovan, Jozy would put the US's top 3 skill players all on the counter attack. Also by placing Dempsey up top alongside Jozy, you would eliminate Dempsey's defensive defficiences.

However, if Davies is healthy in time for South Africa he would have to be included in the starting XI, at the expense of either Clark or Edu. And a switch back to the more conventional 4-4-2 with Dempsey and Donovan switching to the wings.