Aron Johannsson to miss six weeks after groin surgery

Aron Johannsson won't be returning to the pitch anytime soon. The AZ Alkmaar striker underwent surgery on his groin, which will keep him out for six more weeks and meaning his season debut won't come until at least October.

Johannsson had the same operation on his groin in 2012 so this isn't a new thing for him. It will mean that by the time he returns, he will have missed at least eight matches for AZ. He will also miss the United States' friendly against the Czech Republic on September 3 and, most likely, will not be at full fitness by the time they play their two friendlies in October.

The United States striker was already going to miss all of August after having surgery on his ankle. That operation was to repair a long-time problem he had with the ankle -- one he played through for months at AZ and again at the World Cup -- but he was only looking at missing a few matches then. Now, with the groin also needing work, he is facing a much longer spell off the pitch.

Johannsson scored 25 goals for AZ last season, establishing himself as the team's unquestioned top goalscorer. At only 23 years old, he also figures to be a central part of the U.S. team in the lead up to the 2018 World Cup.

The U.S. was already going to be without Terrence Boyd in September and October, and now Johannsson will miss the matches too. That means Jurgen Klinsmann could call up a fresh face at striker for the matches. Juan Agudelo made a case for call-ups last spring, but he doesn't have a club. Rubio Rubin could get a look, having made his FC Utrecht debut, while Jack McInerney might even get a chance.