TORONTO – There’s no holding him back.

After suffering an ankle injury in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Championship against Columbus Crew SC, forward Jozy Altidore returned to training on Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. international scored 15 goals for the Reds in the regular season and bagged the game-winning goal against Columbus to send TFC to a second straight MLS Cup Final.

“He got through what our expectation was and felt great,” head coach Greg Vanney revealed. “We’ll take it up a bit more tomorrow and keep building until Saturday.”

Vanney is hopeful that Altidore will continue to progress as a rematch with the Seattle Sounders looms on December 9 at BMO Field.

“For him, it’s not even a discussion; he will be there on Saturday,” the head coach added. “He will be there 100-percent, laying it all out there.”

Goalkeeper Alex Bono also expressed his excitement at seeing Altidore return to the training pitch.

“It’s encouraging to see him back out there, working out the kinks and on his way back to hopefully 100-percent,” he told reporters.”

Hear from Vanney and Bono following Tuesday’s training session.

Greg Vanney

Alex Bono