New York Red Bulls welcome back pair of defenders as injury crisis wanes

The New York Red Bulls have dealt with something of an injury crisis in the early goings of the 2016 season; three of their four defenders have been sidelined in recent weeks, and, as a result, the second-to-last-placed Red Bulls have conceded a league-high 11 goals.

Central defenders Gideon Baah, Ronald Zubar, and left full-back Kemar Lawrence were all ruled out with injuries in recent weeks, as was attacking winger Gonzalo Veron, whose absence has seen the Red Bulls' attack struggle to find the back of the net.

But head coach Jesse Marsch had some good news at training on Monday ahead of a double-header week for the club.

"Kemar is looking close to game-ready. Ronald is close to game-ready as well, so they may factor in on Wednesday," Marsch said, according to the club's website. "We just have to get through the next two days and see how they're doing.

"Gideon and Gonzalo are both on the field again and moving around, close to training. We're hopeful that we'll get through this week with them, then after these two games, they might start to become available."

On Wednesday night, the Red Bulls take on the San Jose Earthquakes away from home, then travel east on Saturday to play the Colorado Rapids.