Dempsey World Cup hopes alive

There were fears that Dempsey had suffered cruciate ligament damage after picking up an injury during the Cottagers' 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. He has undergone scans on the problem, with the Premier League club revealing Dempsey does not require surgery on the problem. Fulham are optimistic the 26-year-old will be able to return before the end of the season, giving Dempsey time to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup. A Fulham statement read: "During the Blackburn Rovers fixture on Sunday 17 January, Clint Dempsey sustained moderate damage to a ligament in his right knee. "Following the results of a scan, early indications are positive in that no operation is required. "At this stage it is thought that the injury will not prevent him from featuring for Fulham, prior to the end of the season. "Whilst obviously disappointed, Clint is focused on his rehabilitation and will work hard, in line with medical advice, to return at the soonest opportunity." USA will start their World Cup campaign against England on June 12 before tackling Slovenia and Algeria in Group C.