AMSTERDAM – Although Timothy Chandler is expected to miss the remainder of FC Nürnberg's season recovering from a knee injury, the club has revealed that the US right back will resume training on his own in early April.
The news will seem a small boost for fans on both sides of the Atlantic, given that manager Gertjan Verbeek told reporters on Tuesday that Chandler would "probably not play" for the first team before their Bundesliga season ends on May 10. Even if the coach's worry proves accurate, the new return timeline may give the 23-year-old hope of arriving to Jurgen Klinsmann's pre-World Cup camp four days later with a clean bill of health.
"Timothy is currently completing his rehabilitation program," FCN press officer Katharina Wildermuth told MLSsoccer.com on Friday. "[His] individual training will start in two or three weeks."
Nürnberg may be crossing fingers for a surprise early comeback, given the team's three-game losing streak and league position just one point above the danger zone. Should Chandler not be ready in time for the senior side's closing day match at Schalke, the reserve team also has a home game the same afternoon that could be used to regain match fitness.
