Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney is confident his star striker Sebastian Giovinco will return to the lineup in a "couple of weeks."
The 28-year-old Italian was already set to miss Saturday's game in Seattle following his call-up to the Italian national team. But an adductor injury he suffered in a 2-1 win over Montreal ruled him out of Italy's European qualifiers against Malta and Bulgaria, and he will return to Toronto by the weekend.
"(There's) no indication it's serious; a couple weeks," Vanney told reporters. "We're hoping by the time we hit the three-game week he'll be back, ready to roll."
Toronto has games against New England, NYCFC, and Colorado between Sept. 13 and 19 as it guns for a first playoff berth in nine seasons.
"We were going to lose him this weekend one way or the other," Vanney said. "I see this as an opportunity, a chance for him to relax, physically and mentally recover, and prepare for the final stretch. Sometimes injuries are hidden gems."
Giovinco has carried a heavy load since joining the Reds, scoring 17 goals and adding another 10 assists in 25 starts. He has only missed 118 minutes of the MLS season.