April 30, 2009 MLS Toronto FC Dwayne DeRosario returns to training (from TorontoFC.ca)
De Rosario returns to training
Forward has missed the last two matches
04/30/2009 02:07 PM
TorontoFC.ca
Toronto FC's Dwayne De Rosario returned to full training on Thursday for the first time since leaving the defeat at FC Dallas on April 18th with a sore hamstring. De Rosario has missed the last two matches but is hopeful of being fit to join the squad for Saturday's match against Columbus Crew (kick off 4:00 p.m. live on CBC).
"It felt good and I am excited to be back," said De Rosario. "I was being mindful of the injury but I didn't feel anything and hopefully I won't have any more problems with it. Hopefully I can be ready to be involved on Saturday but I won't rush anything. If I'm not 100 per cent I will not be pushing it. It's a long season so I need to make sure I have fully recovered.
In his absence, the team has won the last two games 1-0 and moved top of the Eastern Standings. "it is nice to see the team is doing well so hopefully we can keep the momentum and if I do get my chance I will be able to help the team," said De Rosario. "It's nice to see guys stepping up. In both games we could have scored more than one goal and we kept a clean sheet which is a big positive. It is good to have depth and have positions under threat so that players don't feel too comfortable. If you look at all of the great teams in the world they all have a lot of depth with guys who are hungry to come in and prove a point. We will need everyone within the squad during the season."
Interim head coach Chris Cummins will keep a close watch on De Rosario's fitness ahead of the game before deciding on the starting line-up. "We are keeping an eye on him but he is desperate to play and is not one of those players who will come in and take it easy," said Cummins. "It will be up to us to pull him back at the right times and manage the situation. It's always difficult to change a winning team and no-one has the right to be in the side whoever they are. He knows he needs to work his way back in the team and he is looking to do that. He did a full session this morning and we will see how he is Friday with regards to whether he plays at the weekend."
.
.