Jozy Altidore is on his way back to full speed, but the Toronto FC star is still “probably a few weeks” away from taking part in match action, according to head coach Greg Vanney.
The TFC and US national team striker endured an injury-ravaged 2018, missing large chunks of the Reds’ marathon season due to foot and ankle problems. Though he was a massive contributor to their run to the Concacaf Champions League final in the spring, would make just 12 starts in league play and was shut down towards the end of the season, undergoing surgery to remove a bone fragment from his right ankle.
Currently in training camp in Southern California, Toronto split their squad this weekend and Altidore traveled to Cashman Field with the group that lost 5-1 to USL side Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, doing some conditioning and rehab work but not suiting up for the preseason friendly.
“Probably a few weeks,” said Vanney when asked about his imposing target striker’s availability. “He's doing his fitness, trying to get himself going fitness-wise. Now it's just kind of a progression of striking balls, contact, all the things that you have to pass in order to be really match-ready.
“But he's working hard and getting himself towards fitness.”
