Watford defender Jay DeMerit has cornea replaced

Jay DeMerit has cornea replaced

LONDON — Watford defender Jay DeMerit has had surgery to replace a cornea.

The team said on its Web site that the operation took place Saturday at Moorsfields Eye Hospital in London. The team captain has not played for the League Championship club since Aug. 29. Watford said dust or grit became stuck under his contact lens before the Sept. 15 match at Plymouth. The eye became infected.

While Watford said the surgery was to his left eye, the U.S. Soccer Federation said it was to his right.

A 29-year-old from Green Bay, Wis., who went to the University of Illinois at Chicago, DeMerit signed with Watford for the 2004-5 season. He has made 16 appearances for the U.S. national team.