U.S. international Geoff Cameron has had successful surgery on a hernia but is expected to be out of action for another two weeks.
The Stoke City man, 29, saw the injury occur in the Potters’ League Cup win over Portsmouth at the end of August, which ruled him out of the USA’s recently friendly with the Czech Republic in Prague.
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With Cameron now recovering from surgery and aiming to get back on the pitch by the end of September, what lies ahead for the American?
He remains at Stoke City, for now, despite interest from a whole host of Premier League teams and Serie A side Lazio (as reported at PST) during the summer transfer window. Stoke’s unwillingness to sell Cameron shows how highly he is rated at the Britannia Stadium as boss Mark Hughes is eager to hold on to the former Houston Dynamo star.
Cameron, who played at both center back and in central midfield for the USA at the World Cup this summer, has spent the last two seasons playing at right back for Stoke and has been virtually ever present in that role. However, it is believed Cameron is now being shifted back to his natural position in the middle of the park and will battle for minutes with Steven Nzonzi, Glenn Whelan, Steve Sidwell, Charlie Adam and Stephen Ireland in a clogged up midfield.
The Bostonian will have to bide his time when he gets back from injury, but it seems as though Stoke are willing to give him a shot at establishing himself in midfield.
Cameron’s athleticism gives him the edge over the other players in that spot and he has already racked up impressive stats in tackles made and interceptions over the past two seasons since he arrived in England from MLS. In the round of 16 game against Belgium, Cameron sat in front of the back four expertly and kept Marouane Fellaini quiet. His credentials in the heart of the engine room need not be questioned, as he’s shown time and time again from right back that he can cut it in the PL.
Time will tell if he is handed a proper chance to impress in midfield or central defense for Stoke City. If he does, for the first time in two seasons, the USMNT player will be able to play his natural position in the PL. That’s something fans of Stoke and the U.S. national team should relish. If things don’t work out in his preferred role between now and January, expect Cameron’s name to be linked with plenty more PL clubs as he searches for the chance to establish himself at holding midfield or central defense.
