DALLAS, Texas – Toronto FC addressed rumours regarding forward Joao Plata on Wednesday morning. Director of team and player operations Earl Cochrane confirmed that the loan deal to Plata's former club LDU Quito in Ecuador has yet to be finalized.

"As of today Joao Plata is still a Toronto FC player," Cochrane said over a conference call from Toronto with the media. He envisions "a conclusion by the weekend."

While not much has changed since Cochrane first addressed this issue at the weekend's match at BMO Field, he revealed that the teams are "further along the line today than Saturday."

Cochrane went on to answer questions about Plata's admissions via Twitter that he has left Toronto and corresponding reports in Ecuadorian newspapers about his arrival.

"(Plata) was absent from training yesterday, he was on the travel squad for Dallas and Philadelphia."

Toronto is currently on a two-game road trip with the first match against FC Dallas Wednesday night before taking on Philadelphia Union on Sunday. Plata is not with the Reds, which has disappointed the club as his loans deal is not yet finalized.

Cochrane admitted that on this front the club is in "discussion with the league" to find out if "disciplinary actions" could be taken over Plata's misconduct.

On Twitter, Plata said his goodbyes to TFC fans, an act Cochrane said wasn't ideal and attributed this to his existing relationship with his former club.

"The communication between that club and him was probably premature."

At the heart of the matter for Toronto is finding a suitable situation for Plata that affords the 20-year old regular playing time. The deal sought by Toronto would be "best for (Plata) socially and developmentally," said Cochrane.

"He will be a Toronto FC player in the course of that loan. At the end of six months, he will be a Toronto FC player."