Dempsey back training with Seattle after irregular-heartbeat scare

The Seattle Sounders have welcomed Clint Dempsey back to training after the United States stalwart underwent tests for an irregular heartbeat.

General manager Garth Lagerwey and interim head coach Brian Schmetzer are set to talk about Dempsey's health at a press conference following Wednesday's training session in Tukwila, Wash.

The 33-year-old forward hasn't featured competitively since bagging a brace in a 3-1 defeat of the Portland Timbers on Aug. 22. He was absent for his country's recent World Cup qualifiers and three Major League Soccer outings.

"We have Clint's best interests at heart," Lagerwey said when the news of Dempsey's irregular heartbeat was revealed.

The Sounders claimed just two points out of a possible nine in the three matches Dempsey was sidelined, failing to remedy a drab 2016 season which sees them placed ninth in the Western Conference and six points short of a playoff berth.

The CenturyLink Field faithful will no doubt hope Dempsey is available for selection at the soonest opportunity, with Seattle's Cascadian rival the Vancouver Whitecaps visiting this Saturday.