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Stern John (right)Stern John is currently undergoing rehabilitation on an injured knee after being operated on a week ago. He will be sidelined for a minimum of six months.

During a practice session with the National Team, John had a recurring Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury which was first damaged in 2000 when he was at Nottingham Forest. Back then he was ordered to rest for four months.

Ten years later though, the injury required surgery. And the ex-Birmingham City striker is determined to return, currently undergoing rehab in Ohio.

The disappointing part is that John was set to sign a new contract with American Major League side Columbus Crew after the 2010 World Cup which would have seen him make a return to the club where he first rose to international prominence with a record tally 26 goals in 1998.

“The Columbus Crew were going to sign me but the deal is on hold now until I’m fit again and back playing,” the 33-year-old John said on Tuesday from Ohio. He had been released by Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

“It’s disappointing to have the injury at this time because I was definitely looking forward to a return to the MLS and I was just back home having a go at keeping fit in the off season and the problem occurred in the training.

But it’s happened and I have to look over that and focus on getting well again and coming back for what should be the twilight of my career,” added John who netted 69 goals in 109 appearances for T&T including 12 vital goals on the “Journey to Germany” World Cup qualifying campaign.