The once-again injury-hit USA Men's Sevens team looks to stay close to the top of the overall standings as the eighth round of the Sevens World Series beckons this weekend in Singapore.

Currently sixth place overall in the title race, the Eagles have an excellent shot at moving up to fifth or even fourth with a strong showing over the next three days. However, they could also slide down as far as seventh place, depending on how Argentina (fourth), Australia (fifth), and Kenya (seventh) fare in round eight.

Of course, it's also in the hands of the USA team, which goes into Singapore without Foay Niua, who picked up an injury and has been held out of the squad after initially being named in it.

"We thought his body would recover in time but it hasn't to the levels we want so we have decided to leave him behind," Eagles head coach Mike Friday said.

So former Life University star Cody Melphy, who was the 13th man, is the next man up for the squad, which faces France, England, and Kenya in Pool B this weekend. 

"We have a huge physical challenge to progress out of our group with Kenya, who has made the last two finals, as well as France, who has a big physical team further strengthened with Terry Bouhraoua—the 'little magician'—back for them," Friday said. "England will be a totally different proposition in Singapore after the bronze medal they won at the Commonwealth Games and will be hugely determined to write the wrong of a disappointing Hong Kong."

Meanwhile, USA captain Ben Pinkelman said there are specific things the team can do to put aside a subpar sixth-place performance in Hong Kong earlier this month.

"We need to take care of the ball better, and find our defensive shape quicker when we do turn it over," said Pinkelman, who added that half the tries scored against the USA in Hong Kong came from handling errors or quick taps on penalties. 

It's just a case of getting back onside more quickly.

Added Friday: "We are more than capable of progressing if we play to our potential, respect the basics of the game, and apply ourselves to each match."

The time zones once again play havoc for fans viewing of the World Series. The USA kicks off at 12:30 AM Eastern Time on Saturday against France. The next game is 3:56 AM ET, against England, and then 7:44 AM ET against Kenya. As Friday said, it's a brutal pool.

2018 HSBC Singapore Sevens

MEN'S EAGLES SEVENS ROSTER

1. Carlin Isles
2. Ben Pinkelman (C)
3. Danny Barrett
4. Matai Leuta
5. Brett Thompson
6. Malon Al-Jiboori
7. Cody Melphy
8. Chris Mattina
9. Stephen Tomasin
10. Kevon Williams
11. Perry Baker
12. Martin Iosefo
13. Tala Talapusi