Darmstadt

Aron Johannsson looking to re-establish himself at Werder Bremen after injury & suspension

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:36 p.m. ET

Aaron West

USMNT striker Aron Johannsson's been through a lot over the last year. He sat out for 11 months with a hip injury, but was able to make his return in August, scoring a goal and assisting in his first three matches back in the team. He then picked up a two-match ban for insulting a referee, but now he's back in the Werder Bremen squad, and he's ready to fight for his spot.

In Johannsson's absence, Werder Bremen have been awful. They've just now picked up their first win (and points) after five games, and they're sitting in 15th place in the Bundesliga. Not only have they been without the American striker, they're also missing attackers Max Kruse and Claudio Pizarro from first team action as well. Still, Johannsson told reporters he doesn't think he'll have a simple waltz back into the starting lineup: "It's difficult to get into the first XI. I have the quality to help the team. I have shown that with goals and assists."

Johannsson's claims he was misheard by the referee for his suspension, but he says he's learned how to deal with the officials: "I should better try to talk German to the referees from now on. It was a mistake to chase the ref, but I was frustrated."

It's going to be tough for Johannsson to make his return to the Werder Bremen first eleven, but in his absence, the USMNT's strikers have been making it even harder for him to find a spot. Jozy Altidore and Jordan Morris are on the hot streaks of their lives, and Bobby Wood's proving his worth so far for Hamburg. However, with Clint Dempsey out indefinitely due to an irregular heartbeat, there could just be space for him to sneak in, if he can re-establish himself at the club level.

Werder Bremen take on Darmstadt on Friday, with Johannsson looking to get back in the lineup and fire his team away from the bottom of the team.

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