The “news” on Charlie Davies’ brave comeback bid

Alexandre Lacomb, president for Sochaux, told the local newspaper that Davies isn’t yet far enough along and that he would not play for the French side this year. Seeing as the French season goes through May 15, that’s hardly promising.

In the very best case scenario, that would give Davies two matches – a pair of late May World Cup tune-ups with the national team – to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that he could contribute in South Africa. Remember, it’s a decision that must be made by June 1, when manager Bob Bradley submits the final 23-man roster. (And honestly, Bradley must use those matches to fine tune the team; he can't sacrifice overall prep on a bid to get one man fit -- much as he and everyone else would like to see Davies move forward.)

Remember, pulling your weight at a World Cup isn't about being adequately fit. It's about being razor-wire sharp.

Here’s what Bradley said through the team’s communications staff: “We are all very proud of the determination and the attitude that Charlie has displayed throughout his rehabilitation process. It has always been understood that the timing of his return to playing would be difficult to predict. We are continuing to keep track of his progress as we look to make the final decisions on the training camp roster for next month.”

Is today’s development news? The truth is that no one in any position to know, with either the national team nor with his French club, has ever said they expected to see Davies in South Africa. They didn’t say anything to the contrary either. As Bradley indicated, all parties were in a decided “wait and see” crouch, as no one has much experience with injuries of the variety and severity Davies suffered last October in the terrible car crash.

The truth is, all the “news” of Davies’ comeback bid has come through the man himself (often through social media platforms.) While no one begrudges Davies for belief that he could make it back in time, from an evaluation standpoint all the information must be filtered through the lens of harsh reality. And the reality is, this was always a long, long shot.

All that said, stranger things have happened. He has a little more than a month to beat the odds.