Schalke's McKennie ruled out of USMNT's friendly with ankle injury

United States midfielder Weston McKennie will miss Tuesday's friendly against Chile with an ankle injury he suffered against Ecuador, manager Gregg Berhalter told Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC.

McKennie appeared to suffer a serious injury when he rolled his ankle during Thursday's 1-0 victory. The exact nature of his ailment is not yet known but Berhalter revealed the 20-year-old avoided breaking any bones.

"McKennie is out (for Chile) but there's nothing broken," the manager said.

However, representatives from the U.S. national team told FC Schalke 04, McKennie's club, that he may have suffered ligament damage.

"The U.S. national team confirmed to Schalke that he hasn't broken anything, but it looks like he has bruised the bone and damaged a ligament," a statement on Schalke's website read. "He will soon see a foot specialist in the U.S. to determine the exact nature of the injury."

The injury occurred midway through the second half of Thursday's friendly when McKennie landed awkwardly after attempting to head the ball.

The midfielder had a boot on his left leg and needed the assistance of crutches at Saturday's training session, according to Carlisle.

McKennie has emerged as an important contributor this season for Schalke, who sit one spot above relegation with eight games remaining.