Norwich City striker Josh Sargent was ruled out of the US's World Cup last-16 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands with a 'right ankle sprain'.

Sargent was not included in the matchday squad announced ahead of the first game of the knock out stages on Saturday afternoon (UK time).

US head coach Gregg Berhalter admitted on Friday the 22-year-old was a major doubt, after an awkward landing on his right ankle in the 1-0 Group B finale win over Iran earlier this week.

The Dutch eased to the victory to set up a potential quarter-final against either Argentina or Australia, who play later on Saturday in Qatar.

City resume their Championship campaign at Swansea City on December 10, although head coach Dean Smith now faces an anxious wait ahead of City's own medical team assessing Sargent's fitness on his return to the UK. 

Sargent had started two of the three group games for his country, and was a late substitute in the 0-0 group draw against England.

Prior to confirmation of his absence earlier on Saturday, Sargent's mentor had revealed that was not the first time the powerhouse had impressed Three Lions' boss Gareth Southgate. 

The Missouri native recently credited John Hackworth as one of the biggest influences on his career, before he headed to Europe to pursue his professional dream.

Hackworth is now director of coaching for St Louis City SC, the new MLS team for 2023. But he also worked with Sargent in the US junior programme, and has now recalled one memorable tour to St George's Park and two friendlies against English opposition. 

"Josh was really good — really good — in those two games,” said Hackworth, speaking to the St Louis Post Dispatch. “And Gareth Southgate (then England Under-21s coach) said, ‘I just want to compliment you — that was one of the best games I’ve ever watched.’He goes, ‘I’m supposed to be taking detailed notes. And for the last 20 minutes of that game, I didn’t take a note. I was just literally enthralled with watching both teams go at it.’

"Josh ended up scoring two goals in that game. 

"In this last game against Iran, I thought he was so good at the role that he’s playing as the ‘nine,’ as the central striker. He sneakily does an incredible job off the ball. He’s a really good defender, essentially.

“When he gets a ball played into him, if he doesn’t have help around him or he’s got a defender right on him, he is able to receive it, find team mates underneath him, spin off and make the runs.

"He didn’t score in that game, obviously, but his job of doing the work against the ball and with the ball? Really good. So I’m super proud of him for that. His work ethic to do that is amazing.”