TORONTO — Julian de Guzman said his recovery from an offseason knee surgery is going well and that he expects to be back training with the club within a month.
“I’m excited to get back and get started under the new coaching staff,” he said.
De Guzman had surgery on Dec. 18 to repair a torn meniscus. He will start to run on the knee starting Friday while the Reds train in Turkey.
He will remain on an individual training schedule during the trip to Turkey and, he says, doctors have told him that he can join the club for full training when TFC go to Orlando on Feb. 23. He should be able to play by early March.
SEE: MLS clubs preseason schedules
De Guzman is expected to dress for the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, S.C., on March 5-15. He should be fully recovered for the start of the MLS season. The midfielder said that he’s looking forward to starting the season now that the new coaching staff is with the club.
“I had a chance to sit down [with head coach Aron Winter], and I like what he’s trying to do,” de Guzman said, adding that consistency in play had been lacking prior to this year.
“It’s not just about the first team, but it’s also about the academy on down,” he added. “Once there is a style – a religion of the club – in place for players to follow, I think you’ll see more consistent results from us.”
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