Jozy Altidore's Toronto FC teammates are confident the striker will be fit to play in the MLS Cup final, but coach Greg Vanney says his participation against the Seattle Sounders is not guaranteed.
Altidore has been restricted to training away from the rest of the team as he attempts to recover from the injury that forced him off in the second leg of the Eastern Conference final against Columbus Crew SC.
"Until we get him on the field, running, sprinting, and changing directions, we [won't] know exactly where he's at," Vanney told reporters on Saturday.
"The MRI, the reports he's giving, how he's feeling, are positive. We'll progress how we need to and see where he's at as we get closer. We're confident that he will be ready."
Altidore scored the goal that put Toronto in the final and teammate Eriq Zavaleta knows having him available will be critical.
"He was the difference [against Columbus]. He was the difference a lot of games this season," the defender said. "We need our big players to show up in big games. He did that with essentially one ankle.
"I don't know what it [would] take to [keep] him off the field next weekend, but I can't imagine a sprained ankle is going to."
Steven Beitashour was equally confident in Altidore's ability to bounce back, adding: "He will play with a cast if he has to. He's playing."