Toronto FC says star forward Sebastian Giovinco is making good progress from the adductor injury that kept him out of action for Italy during the international break.
Giovinco, who is second in Major League Soccer in goals (17) and tied for second in assists (13), had a limited workout session Wednesday.
"He did some physical work before (practice). He's sprinting, he's doing the things he needs," Toronto coach Greg Vanney said. "I hope and suspect that he should be ready by the weekend but we'll see how these days progress."
With a busy schedule ahead, Toronto could keep Giovinco on the shelf for a few more days just to be certain.
Toronto (11-11-4) hosts the New England Revolution (11-9-7) on Sunday. Next week it has games Wednesday on the road against New York City FC and at home to Colorado on Sept. 19.
Vanney says the team training room is gradually thinning out after his roster for last weekend's game in Seattle was shredded. Toronto lost 2-1 but probably deserved a tie in a gritty performance despite the absentees.
In addition to Giovinco, Toronto was missing defenders Ahmed Kantari (foot), Damien Perquis (quad), Nick Hagglund (knee) and Justin Morrow (wife giving birth), midfielders Jackson (hamstring), Benoit Cheyrou (ankle), Daniel Lovitz (heel) and Collen Warner (suspended) and forward Jozy Altitore (international duty).
"We'll be adding some guys back, for sure, back to the group this week," said Vanney. "We'll see exactly who as we get closer to the weekend."
Vanney said Perquis and Hagglund were both "very close" to returning. Cheyrou and Kantari are also said to be close.
The TFC coach was forced to make changes after landing in Seattle. Kantari's foot injury got worse during the cross-country flight while Morrow returned home after his wife went into labour (he made it by four hours to see his daughter born.)
Kantari didn't even make the bench in Seattle, leaving Vanney with goalkeeper Joe Bendik and youngsters Jordan Hamilton, Jay Chapman and Chris Mannella as substitutes.
