GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Delighted with being back in the US squad after a six-month absence, José Francisco Torres may miss the US national team's trip to Italy after picking up an injury in Pachuca's game against Tigres UANL on Saturday, according to local reports from Pachuca.

“We made the third change because of injury and, with 20 minutes to go, Torres got injury,” Pachuca coach Efraín Flores is quoted as saying in La Afición, adding: “Torres was badly injured, I doubt he will be able to travel with the United States national team.”

A story in the local Sol de Hidalgo newspaper reports that the 24-year-old Torres pulled a muscle in his left leg, but couldn't leave the pitch because the team had already made its three permitted changes.

Flores' statement contradicts the fact Pachuca made its final substitution in the 75th minute, taking off the injured defender Néstor Vidrio, in a game that ended 1-1 against Tigres in the Estadio Hidalgo.

Torres was sidelined with a foot injury that ended his 2011, playing-wise, in September, but he has started 2012 in excellent form, playing every single minute of Pachuca's first eight games and catching the eye with his consistently high-level performances.

“Thanks for all the good vibes, happy to be back with the national team, much love to all,” Torres had Tweeted earlier in the week.

It appears his return may have to wait a little longer, adding further disruption to Jurgen Klinsmann's midfield picks following the news on Saturday that Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones will miss out on the game in Genoa after he picked up a calf injury.

Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America. He can be reached via tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.