Ricardo Pepi will remain at PSV during the upcoming international break after United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino decided against calling up the striker while he continues his recovery from injury.

Several PSV players are expected to represent their countries next week, but Pepi will not be among them. The American forward has been working his way back to full fitness after spending around a month on the sidelines, and Pochettino believes staying in Eindhoven is the best option for his recovery.

Speaking to American journalists at a press conference, the USA manager explained that the decision was taken to allow Pepi to continue his rehabilitation and build up his fitness with PSV.

"We have decided that it was much better to keep him training at PSV, so that he can continue working on his fitness. We don't want to bring him here now, because he is not at one hundred percent," Pochettino said.

Pepi's absence from the national team comes after a spell on the sidelines that began during PSV's 3-2 defeat against FC Twente on 20 September. The striker suffered his injury early in that match and subsequently missed several weeks of action.

He returned to the PSV squad for the first time last week against Willem II, when Bosz introduced him as a substitute during the 7-0 victory. Pepi made an immediate impact, scoring PSV's fifth goal after coming off the bench.

The forward was also involved in Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Club Brugge. He replaced Ruben van Bommel after the 70th minute, although he was unable to help PSV avoid a 2-1 defeat against the Belgian side.

While Pepi has returned to competitive action, he is still some way from reaching full match fitness. The decision to keep him out of the USA squad should give him valuable time to continue his recovery without the demands of international travel and matches.

Peter Bosz also addressed Pepi's omission during his press conference ahead of PSV's Eredivisie trip to SC Cambuur on Sunday.

The PSV manager welcomed Pochettino's decision, agreeing that the striker would benefit more from remaining at the club than joining the national team at this stage of his recovery.

"It is good for him and for the association that they let him recover here. He has been injured and is on the way back. It wouldn't be wise for them to go to the national team now," Bosz said, as quoted by Eindhovens Dagblad.

Bosz also acknowledged the difficulties international managers face when deciding whether to select players who are returning from injury.

"I also understand that you fear having to cancel. In any case, this is the best thing for both parties," he added, as relayed by PSV Inside.

Pepi's absence from the United States squad therefore gives him an opportunity to focus entirely on his fitness at PSV. With the striker gradually returning to action, the club will hope the international break allows him to make further progress before domestic football resumes.