Hertha Berlin manager expects John Brooks to return in early October

U.S. men's national team and Hertha Berlin defender John Brooks will be out until early October, his club's manager says.

Hertha Berlin’s John Brooks is missing Wednesday’s game against Bayern Munich due to what manager Pal Dardai called “muscular problems,” adding that he doesn’t think Brooks will be available again until Oct. 1.

The 23-year-old Brooks had a standout Copa América for the U.S., but he wasn’t with the U.S. during the most recent World Cup qualifiers. Coach Jürgen Klinsmann said the U.S. team has to keep a close eye on Brooks even when he’s healthy because his 6’6” frame struggles on long flights, even in business class, and he tends to get back spasms when he returns to Germany.

Roadmap to Russia: The USA's 2018 World Cup qualifying Hexagonal task

Look for Brooks to be with the U.S. for the Hexagonal games, but perhaps not for the October friendlies.