Americans Abroad: A closer look at Pepi, Wright and the other injured players

Wait 5 sec.

The Americans Abroad season may be in full swing but not every player is currently playing for their respective club. Haji Wright, Sam Coffey and Ricardo Pepi are just three of the lengthy list of players that are currently unavailable for their clubs due to respective injuries. Wright has not played a minute for Coventry City this season while Coffey most recently missed the U.S. Women’s National Team’s October international window. Pepi missed the U.S. Men’s National Team September-October window and remains sidelined for PSV. With important international matches coming up for both the USMNT and USWNT in the coming future, Mauricio Pochettino and Emma Hayes will want their full allotment of players available. Here is a closer look at the current injuries affecting the Americans Abroad contingent: Haji WrightHaji Wright has not yet made his Premier League debut with Coventry City but could do so by the end of 2026. Wright has remained out after a quadriceps injury in August forced him to miss the opening few months of the season. The 28-year-old was vital in the Sky Blues’ promotion to England’s top-flight and would be a welcomed sight back in Frank Lampard’s squad. Lampard previously stated that we could see Wright back in November if his recovery goes well. However, it seems unlikely that we will see Wright back with the USMNT until 2027. Sam CoffeyThe USWNT did not have veteran midfielder Sam Coffey available for the October window but could have her back for World Cup Qualifying. Coffey has been out of action for Manchester City since suffering an ankle injury in a 4-2 WSL win over Arsenal back on October 4. She was forced to withdraw from the USWNT roster and quickly begin her injury rehabilitation plan. There is no official date listed for Coffey’s return but the Citizens and USWNT will hope its sooner rather than later.Ricardo PepiClose to one month since Ricardo Pepi suffered an undisclosed injury, he remains out for PSV.Pepi was forced off early in PSV’s 3-2 Eredivisie loss to FC Twente back on September 20. The American forward was not able to be part of the USMNT’s September-October window, which would’ve been key for Pepi after a quiet summer. With PSV floundering in recent weeks, manager Peter Bosz will hope Pepi can return as soon as possible.Gianluca BusioVenezia are in a bad spot right now; bottom of the Serie A standings and without their club captain. Gianluca Busio remains out due to a thigh injury that he suffered in early-September. Busio suffered the injury back on Sept. 11, which has left a major role in Venezia’s squad over the past four-to-six weeks. He could return as early as November, but Venezia has stayed quiet on when we should see him back in action. Patrick AgyemangA serious Achilles injury not only prematurely ended Patrick Agyemang’s first season with Derby County but also ended his 2026 World Cup hopes. Agyemang suffered a torn Achilles back on April 6 and remains out of John Eustace’s squad this fall. The former MLS product excelled in his first season with the Rams but has been a major loss during the first half of the current campaign. Eustace stated that Agyemang could return in November, which would be a big boost for Derby County and the USMNT. Rokas PukstasMiddlesbrough will only have three American players available for the foreseeable future. Rokas Pukstas’ recent hamstring injury is scheduled to keep him out of action for the remainder of October. Pukstas joined the EFL Championship side from Hajduk Split in the summer, but has been reduced to only 12 minutes since making the move.Kim Hellberg has not guaranteed Pukstas’ return for November, opening the door for a lengthier absence into the winter.Naomi GirmaThings are not looking promising for USWNT defender Naomi Girma.Girma remains out for WSL side Chelsea due to a calf injury suffered in late-September. The veteran centerback last played on September 2 but re-aggravated her injury later in the month and was forced to miss the USWNT’s October window, alongside the aforementioned Coffey. Sonia Bompastor has not given a return date for Girma, who would be a major loss for Chelsea and the USWNT if she doesn’t return soon.Cole CampbellA recent ankle injury kept Cole Campbell out of Elversberg’s latest Bundesliga victory this weekend. Campbell was forced to miss the 4-3 triumph over Augsburg on Saturday after previously making his USMNT debut against Canada on October 6. The dynamic winger/midfielder has been a key figure in Elversberg’s squad, but is now expected to miss a few weeks due to his recent knock. Cameron Carter-VickersCeltic has been without Cameron Carter-Vickers’ services since the resumption of club play. Carter-Vickers last played on September 20 against Rangers, a 1-0 loss in the Glasgow Derby between the two SPFL giants. The veteran defender has since missed the last few matches due to a muscle injury and is hoping to return next weekend.Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said Carter-Vickers could return next weekend if everything goes well.George BelloA muscle injury to American wingback/fullback George Bello has come at a bad time for LASK. Bello last featured on October 11 against Rapid Vienna and has since missed the last two fixtures against Liverpool and Austria Lustenau. Manager Didi Kuhbauer stated that Bello will undergo further tests to determine his fall availability, not yet providing a date for his return. Here is a rundown of the remaining injury absentees:Kevin Paredes – Paredes suffered a knee injury back in late August and remains day-to-day for FC Utrecht. His last involvement was August 22. Konrad De La Fuente – De La Fuente has remained sidelined with a muscle injury, which has kept him out of action since September 13. Donovan Pines – Pines last featured for Grazer AK on September 19 and has remained out of the squad due to subsequent injuries. Jonathan Klinsmann – Klinsmann is still recovering from a broken neck that he suffered back on April 18. He has not dressed in Cesena’s squad this season.