An injury to the knee of Cory Gibbs has cost him his opportunity to play in the World Cup this summer in Germany. Gibbs who has only just recently signed for premiership side Charlton Athletic from Dutch club Feyenoord; will be out for a month and provided his work permit is granted should be fit for the first game of the premiership in August.

Bruce Arena has called up Greg Berhalter to replace Gibbs who had been hoping to play in his first World Cup Finals. Berhalter is no stranger to south east London himself having previously plied his trade at Crystal Palace. The veteran had just helped his former side Energie Cottbus to a place in next seasons Bundesliga, before sealing a move to Munich 1860.