Pochettino playing waiting game with Pulisic after ankle issue: “Just hope”

AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic is away with the American national team, and Mauricio Pochettino is hoping he can continue recovering before their game today.

It is never good to hear that a key player may be absent, especially not for the second game in an international break. However, it may be the case for Pulisic, who was not able to play much earlier in the break.

Against Ecuador, he only managed around 20 minutes after suffering from an ankle issue, which worried America’s Argentine coach. It seems to have improved, but not by much, though.

Not great update

Ahead of today’s friendly against Australia, the head coach confirmed that the American had completed a training session on Monday with the group. However, a decision still needs to be made about his chances against the Aussies.

Photos by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images and Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Speaking at a press conference last night, Pochettino’s words about Pulisic’s progress have been relayed by ESPN.

“I think the reaction after the 20 minutes playing [against Ecuador], I think was good. His ankle, I think, reacted very well, and I just hope that tomorrow he can be available. We need to wait today for the reaction too, but I think it’s much better than when he arrived.”