Oguchi Onyewu eyes return to English football and possible Newcastle comeback after missing out on USA World Cup spot

• United States defender focused on finding new club after missing World Cup
  
• Hopeful of return to former club Newcastle in Premier League
• Would consider playing in MLS but wants another shot at English football

By Simon Evans, Reuters

Published: 15:17 EDT, 15 May 2014 | Updated: 15:17 EDT, 15 May 2014

Oguchi Onyewu is ‘gutted’ to have been left out of Jurgen Klinsmann’s provisional World Cup squad but hopes to resume his club career in England.

The burly central-defender has been capped 69 times by the United States and played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups but has rarely featured during Klinsmann’s reign after injuries hampered his progress.

The much-travelled 32-year-old will be a free agent after playing on a short-term deal for Sheffield Wednesday.

Experienced: Oguchi Onyewu has made 69 appearances for the U.S. and played in two World Cups

‘I was gutted not to be selected for the World Cup. I thought this past season I’d done everything I could to get in the 30-man roster,’ Onyewu said.

‘I played 18 games with Sheffield Wednesday and played 90 minutes each time so I felt I’d washed away those injury concerns but life goes on.’

Onyewu’s World Cup hopes had been raised by a call-up for last year’s Gold Cup and then again for March’s friendly against Ukraine.

‘Coaches make their decisions, end of story. I’m not thrilled with the coach’s decision but you have to accept it,’ he said.

Onyewu, who turned 32 on Tuesday, has played in France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Holland and had spells with Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers.

Onyewu says he wants to continue in England and even holds out hopes of a return to one of his former clubs.

Omitted: After failing to make the 2014 World Cup squad Onyewu is considering his club future

‘Right now no decisions have been made but I’m aiming to stay in the UK,’ he said.

‘It’s always a possibility that I will stay at Wednesday, but I want to weigh my options before I make a final decision. Who knows, maybe I’ll have the opportunity to play for Newcastle again, you never know.’

Onyewu moved straight from college to Metz in France in 2002 and has never played in Major League Soccer but he indicated that might be a destination before the end of his career.

‘If I had to play for an MLS team then first choice would be to come back home and play for DC United and after that one of the two New York teams or the Miami team. East Coast,’ he said.

Destination: The former Newcastle defender, left, is hoping to stay in English football after playing this season with Sheffield Wednesday