MONTREAL – The Impact’s skipper is back at 100 percent.
And while all eyes will be on Marco Di Vaio on Saturday afternoon at Stade Saputo, when he plays the second-to-last home game of his career against the New England Revolution (4 pm ET; UDN, TSN in Canada), another crowd favorite, team captain Patrice Bernier, may return to the field this weekend.
Bernier has been out since early September with plantar fasciitis, but he finally trained with his teammates this week.
“It went well,” Bernier told reporters on Friday. “From the moment I started running again, I have been without pain. That's what mattered. Wednesday was my first day back with the group. It went well again yesterday and today. What matters is that the inflammation doesn’t return, and right now, it’s going well. I’m glad. I can’t ask for much more as I hope to finish the next weeks well.”
Assistant coach Mauro Biello reported that Bernier would be an option for Saturday’s game, though he didn’t provide further details on what his involvement could be.
Bernier, however, seems glad to take on just about any role.
“In my head, it was important to know that I can say I’m 100 percent and that it’s no psychological or physical hindrance,” Bernier said.
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Bernier’s absence from the field has brought his future with the team to the forefront. Now 35, the Impact captain is reportedly without a contract for next season. But he is keen on carrying on with his hometown club, for which he has been an impeccable ambassador since returning to North America before the 2012 season.
“No, [I don’t intend to retire],” Bernier said. “I feel fine. Of course, you go through some glitches, but I intend to carry on for a while. We could say the job ain’t finished here. We’ll see at the end of the season. Right now, what’s important are the next three to four weeks so we finish the season well.”
