Montreal Impact striker Didier Drogba will train with the Sacramento Republic this week as he prepares tor his season debut.
Last week, Drogba said he would not be playing on artificial turf to start the season, meaning he would miss four of the Impact's first five games.
The 38-year-old is trying to limit damage to his knee as the Impact begin their season at the Olympic Stadium, but he could play March 19 at FC Dallas.
But before then, he will spend some time "over the next few days" with the USL club alongside his physiotherapist, a Montreal statement said.
Without Drogba, the Impact won their first game of the season 3-2 at Vancouver on Sunday.