Jozy Altidore Will Start Saturday Vs. England, According To Coach Bob Bradley

During a Friday appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, United States coach Bob Bradley confirmed that forward Jozy Altidore will start Saturday against England.

Altidore suffered an ankle injury in training last week and missed the United States’ Saturday friendly against Australia. The 20-year-old striker returned to full training earlier this week.

The sprained ankle suffered last Wednesday only kept Jozy Altidore out of the lineup for five days, with the 20-year-old striker returning to full training Tuesday. Altidore said the ankle felt fine and only complained for a little soreness:

If healthy, Altidore is slated to start against England on Saturday, the United States’ opening match of the World Cup.

Jozy Altidore is back to running sprints, his main activity during a light work-out on Sunday.

The U.S. striker is recovering from an ankle injury suffered in training on Thursday. That injury kept the starting forward out of the Australia match, and although resuming some normal activities appears to be a positive step in Altidore’s progress, U.S. Soccer continues to be evasive with information on the 20-year-old’s prognosis:

Altidore was taken for X-rays at a local hospital, with the results coming back negative. The injury was eventually described as mild, with a day-to-day status assigned to the United States’ striker.

Saturday is going to be Bob Bradley’s final chance to get a look at those options in under match conditions. If Altidore can’t go or is inhibited by his ankle, Bradley will go into the England match carrying the same questions that have kept him from settling on a partner for Jozy.