Thursday 16 February 2017 21:58, UK
United States international Clint Dempsey has been cleared to return to football following a six-month lay-off caused by an irregular heartbeat.
The former Fulham and Tottenham striker, who now plays for MLS side Seattle Sounders, has not played since last August after undergoing a procedure to address the heart condition.
However, after already featuring in two pre-season games, Dempsey has been given the all-clear to return to competitive football.
"Right now the focus is getting through this year, playing (well) again and making an impact on the field," Dempsey said in a statement on the Sounders website.
"The minutes will keep going up and I'll keep pushing in training."
The 33-year-old says he is close to regaining full fitness and is determined to help the Sounders defend the MLS Cup which they won after beating Toronto on penalties in December.
"I feel like I'm finally getting close: 85 per cent, 90 per cent back to full fitness," he said.
"Whether it's the training staff here or in other places, everybody is on the same page of how I should be progressing. As of right now, everything is going great."
United States head coach Bruce Arena admits Dempsey is unlikely to feature in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and Panama.
"You take six or eight months away from the game, it takes you a while to get back," Arena told ESPN.
"I'm just hopeful that when March comes around that he can be part of Seattle's plans in Major League Soccer and as he continues during the season, hopefully he can come back to the national team."
