Graham Zusi will miss Sporting KC’s match Sunday because of hamstring injury

Graham Zusi will miss Sporting Kansas City’s match Sunday because of a hamstring strain, but the club doesn’t expect the injury will require an extended absence.

Zusi was diagnosed with a grade one hamstring strain, which is the least severe muscle injury, after he pulled up lame during the first half of Saturday’s victory at New York City FC.

Zusi did not participate in practice Tuesday, though he was doing separate rehab work.

“I could say it’s a couple weeks, but it’s hard to say,” coach Peter Vermes said. “The good thing is it’s not a grade three (strain). .... I think it’s more just a couple of weeks before we get him back in.”

In the opening month of the season, Zusi has been dealing with the effects of a stress reaction in his foot, which he suffered last October. He said last week the injury was still lingering in the second half of matches.

Zusi has not registered a goal or an assist over the first four matches of the season.

“(This) gives him a chance to rest his foot a little bit, as well,” Vermes said. “It’s not what any of us want, but if you’re looking for a positive, that’s it.”

While Sporting KC will be without Zusi, it could be set to welcome back forward Krisztian Nemeth, who has missed the past two matches with a knee injury. Nemeth returned to training Tuesday and is on target to be available for selection Sunday, when Sporting KC plays host to Philadelphia at 6 p.m.

Vermes said he is still awaiting final word on the severity of an injury to defender Marcel de Jong, who left the Canadian national team’s match Monday.

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Graham Zusi will miss Sporting KC’s match Sunday because of hamstring injury."