“Schalke’s Jermaine Jones has begun training with the first team, however his progress remains under the watchful eye of the team’s medical staff.”

Meanwhile, his US National Team paperwork begins moving through the FIFA beaurocratic process…

Stories via YanksAbroad and ESPN

“Right now there is the break due to internationals and currently [Jermaine] is now in training, but we still can’t say if he’ll be available for our next Bundesliga game,” Schalke press officer Thomas Spiegel confirmed.

“He was back in training last week but had to withdraw after one day because he felt a little reaction in his leg,” Spiegel explained.

“However, after pausing for one day he was able to return to training with the full team.”

After a rough patch which has seen the Königsblauen take only a single point from their last two games while failing to find the scoreboard, the team is eager to see their star midfielder back on the field.

The Schalke midfielder has been sidelined since early summer with a hairline fracture in his leg.”

As for Jermaine Jones’ desire to play on the US National Team, “the paperwork of Jones….is still sitting on some bureaucrat’s desk in Switzerland. Exactly when he might be given the stamp of approval is anyone’s guess.

Jones’ agent says he can’t give any details or a time horizon for a decision on his client’s petition, since FIFA won’t give him any specifics.

Image via A Grand Illusion