USMNT midfielder James Sands is set to be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on what has been called a “complex ankle injury”.
The midfielder, 24, is on loan from New York City FC to Bundesliga side St Pauli having made the move in the winter window last month.
Sands fell awkwardly on his right ankle after a challenge in the penalty box in injury time in the 1-0 defeat to Freiburg on Saturday.
He was taken from the field and later had to be wheeled through the journalists’ mixed zone seemingly unable to walk under his own power before being taken from the stadium to a local hospital.
“It looks really bad,” head coach Alexander Blessin said after the game. “At first I thought it was knee. But he lost his balance and landed with his full weight on his ankle.”
A post on social media from NYCFC on Sunday confirmed the nature of the injury and that he has now undergone a procedure ahead of what is expected to be a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
James Sands has undergone surgery to repair a complex ankle injury involving a fractured fibula and torn medial collateral ligament.
Sands sustained the injury shortly before the final whistle of FC St. Pauli’s match against SC Freiburg. The midfielder underwent surgery at the… pic.twitter.com/B2XPeUB90P
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) February 16, 2025
“James Sands has undergone surgery to repair a complex ankle injury involving a fractured fibula and torn medial collateral ligament,” it read.
“Sands sustained the injury shortly before the final whistle of FC St. Pauli’s match against SC Freiburg. The midfielder underwent surgery at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany and will be out indefinitely.
“Everyone at the club wishes you all the best in your recovery, Jimmy. NYC is with you.”
Sands has made seven appearances for his new club, including starting the side’s last four games.
A central midfielder Sands has 13 caps for the national team but hasn’t made an appearance for his country since July 2023.
He had been hopeful, though, that his mid-season change of scenery could help him with a possible call ahead of next summer’s home World Cup.
“Being a part of the World Cup team next year would be an amazing achievement,” he said, as per the Associated Press. “Whether you get selected or not for the team is really out of your control.
“The only thing I can control is how I perform on a day-to-day basis with my club. And I think being consistent and putting in strong performances will hopefully get my name back in the mix.”
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‘A bitter blow’
Sands’ absence will be a bitter blow and Alexander Blessin was not being melodramatic when he described his disappointment. Since arriving on-loan from NYCFC, Sands has played at the base of St Pauli’s midfield and, periodically, at the heart of their defence.
That range has been enormously helpful. His defensive reliability and ball-distribution has allowed Blessin to cope in the absence of Eric Smith, who typically starts in the middle of the back-three and, previously, without whom St Pauli would struggle badly.
Equally, though, his burgeoning partnership with captain Jackson Irvine in midfield allowed the Australian a freer role and to have more influence on the attack, but also that part of Blessin’s side to be tougher, and more resilient.
St Pauli have scored fewer goals than any other Bundesliga team this season, but only Bayern Munich have a better defensive record. In his short time since arriving, Sands had helped his team remain tough to beat, in spite of a debilitating injury list, while also allowing the intricacy of the attacking football to improve.
He will be difficult to replace. In his contribution to those specific roles, but also in his utility. While St Pauli are still well-placed to survive relegation this season, sitting seven points above Heidenheim in the playoff place, the task will certainly be tougher now.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
