Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie has withdrawn from the USA international squad due to an aggravated tendinopathy in his left knee, but his departure is thought primarily to be a precaution.
The 25-year-old started and played the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final on Friday. He has not travelled with the team for the second leg, which is scheduled for Monday.
Football Italia understands that McKennie’s withdrawal from the squad is precautionary and that he is still in contention to feature in the highly-anticipated Derby D’Italia against league leaders Inter next weekend.
McKennie has featured in all 12 of Juventus’ competitive fixtures this season, all of which have come in Serie A. He has racked up 10 starts thus far and two appearances off the bench.
Praise has come McKennie’s way in the early stages of the 2023-24 season as well.
Many had expected him to be on his way out of the club after a loan spell with Leeds United at the end of 2022-23, but his performances this season have made him an important member of Max Allegri’s first team squad again.
Juventus’ visit from Inter will kick off at 19.45 GMT on Sunday, November 26.