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Defoe took to the practice pitch along with Michael Bradley, Gilberto and a host of other star players brought to Toronto to spur the most highly anticipated season in TFC history.
Star striker Jermain Defoe says it felt good but a little strange to practise with Toronto FC for the first time Monday.
Jermain Defoe pronounced himself fit and ready to go Monday after his first official training session with Toronto FC.
But the question lingers whether Toronto’s superstar transfer acquisition will play in the club’s MLS season opener in Seattle on Saturday.
Defoe took to the practice pitch along with Michael Bradley, Gilberto and a host of other star players brought to Toronto to spur the most highly anticipated season in TFC history.
Defoe, though, hasn’t played in a match since February and only arrived in Toronto on Sunday, after fulfilling his contract duties with Tottenham in England.
There’s the question of an old hamstring injury — he says it’s “100 per cent” — and the ongoing process of adjusting to new time zones, a new city, new teammates and huge expectations.
“I’m sure there’s going to be some meetings with the manager in the next few days but I feel good, I’m ready to go,” Defoe said before a massive media scrum at the club’s training grounds in Downsview.
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“The more you play helps, and hopefully after training they (teammates) understand how I play, then it’s okay after that.”
Toronto opens on the road in Seattle, where the team will play on artificial turf. There’s some doubt as to whether Defoe — and possibly Gilberto, who hasn’t played a game in over a month — will be held back, and off, that type of surface.
“Hopefully, it’s all positive,” TFC coach Ryan Nelsen said. “But it’s preseason right now and anything can happen. I’ve lost two strikers and a couple of players (in the preseason), so anything can happen.”
Nelsen was speaking of Bright Dike, who tore an Achilles tendon in training in Orlando last month and is lost for the season.
Nagging aches and pains are also affecting several other players, including Bradley, Gilberto and Alvaro Rey.
Nelsen may decide to proceed into the season with caution rather than rush his high-priced super stars.
In the meantime, Defoe said his hamstring injury is no longer a worry or a problem.
“I’ve said it before but it’s 100 per cent, so no problems,” Dafoe said.
Defoe mentioned that he has not trained on an artificial grass surface in “years.”
“Well, even today, it’s the first time in years I trained on a surface like this,” he said.
“You can’t make excuses, it’s the same for both teams, for all the players. It’s part of your responsibility to be ready.”
Defoe arrives as Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer in Europe, and the fifth all-time leading scorer overall in club history. He is a sure bet — barring any setbacks — to represent his native England at the World Cup in Brazil in June.
“It’s on the back of my mind but the most important thing is concentrate and make sure your form is good,” he said. “My job is to score goals . . . but it’s been fine, everything went well today.”
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