Bruce Arena says he hopes to have Clint Dempsey at his first United States training camp in January.

Dempsey, the U.S.'s second all-time leading scorer, has been sidelined since August with an irregular heartbeat that ruled him out for the Seattle Sounders' MLS playoff run.

He has returned to light jogging in training this month, and Arena said he was encouraged by the forward's recovery.

"I spoke to Clint yesterday he is making good progress," Arena told Fox Sports before the MLS Cup final on Saturday.

"Obviously his health is a priority. And we are hoping we can bring him into camp in January, just casually get back into the swing of things. Perhaps not even considering him playing.

"And then have him ready to go as Seattle starts their preseason [in February]. And then hopefully he's ready for the U.S. team when [World Cup] qualifiers come around."

Under Arena's predecessor, Jurgen Klinsmann, January camps primarily consisted of players based in North America. U.S. Soccer has not yet announced any friendlies for that period.

Dempsey's return for the World Cup qualifiers in late March against Honduras and Panama would be a big boost for the U.S., who are in last place in the final CONCACAF group after opening defeats to Mexico and Costa Rica.