AMSTERDAM – The head injury suffered last week by US national team and Southampton Under-21 goalkeeper Cody Cropper is not as bad as initially feared, with the Premier League side hoping their American prospect can return to training in a matter of weeks.
The Minnesotan was removed mere moments into a 2-1 victory at Fulham after a nasty collision with Dean O’Halloran and was immediately rushed to the hospital for X-rays. An additional exam earlier this week determined that Cropper had a simple fracture on his left eye socket, minor enough that surgery will not be required. The 21-year-old was even healthy enough to attend Southampton's EPL win at Newcastle on Saturday.
"He has an eye injury and suffered a concussion, but he will be fine," a Southampton spokesperson told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. "He has already been released to the club's care."
While the Saints are not targeting a specific return date on the calendar, they expect Cropper back into the fold sooner rather than later.
"It seems like it will be weeks and not months," said the club representative.
Cropper, who has dressed six times for the Saints' first team without appearing, has a 2-1-0 record with one shutout in Under-21 Premier League play this season. The former US Under-20 'keeper also has had two USMNT call-ups without receiving a debut cap.
Greg Seltzer covers Americans based in Europe for MLSsoccer.com.
