Altidore escapes injury after fall

Aside from a back bruise that should not keep him out of action, U.S. men’s national team forward Jozy Altidore is no worse for wear following a scary spill into a concrete video board during AZ Alkmaar’s match against NEC Breda on Wednesday.

Altidore left the match after falling and hitting his head and back, but Altidore stated on his Twitter account on Friday that he was ready for action.

“Very painful accident but (I’ll) be ok and ready for the weekend if called upon by the manager,” Altidore said via Twitter.

Early fears were that Altidore may have sustained a concussion, but all signs point to Altidore only bruising his back, which shouldn’t keep him out of action for long.

Altidore is enjoying a career year, having scored 22 goals in all competitions for Alkmaar since joining the Dutch club last summer. This European season has been the first in which he has received regular playing time, after disappointing stints in Spain, England and Turkey, and Altidore has made the most of it by emerging as one of the leading scorers in the Dutch Eredivisie.

The 22-year-old striker is expected to be the starting target striker for the U.S. national team when World Cup qualifying kicks off in June.