Giovinco back in full training ahead of 401 Derby

We had hoped to see him at BMO Field before the international break, but Toronto FC has played it safe and Sebastian Giovinco looks set to make his comeback on Sunday against the Montreal Impact.

That’s the word coming out of the club ahead of the return of MLS action this weekend, per Sportsnet’s John Molinaro.

“Based on him being full in training, as long as everything progresses during the week, then he should be available,” TFC coach Greg Vanney said.

He added: “For [Giovinco] to get however minutes he can over the next two games before the playoffs start [is] important for the team, important for him, and important for everyone.”

Giovinco last played in the highly disappointing 1-0 defeat to Montreal in Toronto on August 27. As the Sun’s Kurtis Larson noted, that match was only the ninth occasion this season on which Vanney’s three designated players have started together.

Sunday could be the tenth, though it’s also not out of the question that Giovinco starts the game on the bench and is eased back in slowly, as was the case with Jozy Altidore at the start of the season.

Jay Chapman is also back after a six-game absence but Will Johnson has been training alone and remains doubtful with a knee sprain. Johnson declined a place in the latest Canada squad having missed the visit of D.C. United before the international break.