TORONTO -- Jermain Defoe will miss Toronto FC’s Trilium Cup matchup against the unbeaten Columbus Crew on Saturday (6 pm ET, MLS Live), and it’s unclear when the injured English striker will return.
Defoe was taken out of TFC’s game against Real Salt Lake on the hour mark last Saturday after clutching his left hamstring. He was absent from training on Tuesday, and TFC head coach Ryan Nelsen broke the news on Wednesday that his leading scorer will be on the shelf for the near future.
“It’s a slight strain, so I think he’ll be out for the short term,” Nelsen said. “It’s not a major strain. [He'll] be definitely unavailable this weekend."
Nelsen said he expects to learn about the severity of the injury and how much more time Defoe might miss in the next 2-3 days. Championed as one of the biggest signings in Toronto franchise history in January, Defoe scored a combined three goals in his first two appearances before he was blanked in TFC’s 3-0 loss at RSL.
Nelsen also said that defender Doneil Henry and midfielder Jonathan Osorio are questionable for Saturday’s match, while defender Ashtone Morgan is also battling a minor hip issue.
