Timbers boss Porter tips Norberto Paparatto to replace Liam Ridgewell

Portland Timbers boss Caleb Porter announced that Norberto Paparatto will "most likely" deputize for an injured Liam Ridgewell for the second leg of the MLS Western Conference final on Sunday.

Ridgewell, 31, has been hampered by a calf issue that he re-aggravated during last week's 3-1 first-leg victory in Oregon. The former Birmingham City defender first injured the calf following a leg break in 2009 while playing for the Blues.

Ridgewell told reporters post-match: "Just tweaked my calf a little bit. It's been a bit of an ongoing thing, so it will be fine."

Training in preparation for Sunday's pivotal second-leg, Porter told ESPN FC: "It's a little touch and go, (Ridgewell) is still a little sore," he said. "Most likely it will be Paparatto (starting)."

Despite the potential loss of the club captain Ridgewell, Porter appears content to call upon the 31-year-old Argentine.

"We've played Paparatto seven games this year, all competitions, and we've never lost," he said. "He does well when he has to step in and this will be no different."