BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- After picking up a hamstring injury in the April 6 friendly vs. Marquette, winger Dilly Duka returned to training this week. The second-year Fire midfielder has been hampered by injuries this season, making just two appearances so far but will likely provide Frank Yallop another option off the bench Saturday vs. New England.
Though he has started running again this week, the prognosis for left back Gonzalo Segares wasn’t quite as good. Yallop confirmed Thursday the Costa Rican wouldn’t take part in Saturday’s match as he continues to recover from an ankle sprain suffered on March 16 at Portland..
“[Gonzalo’s] not good for this weekend but with the break coming up, hopefully by the end of that he’ll be available,” Yallop said referring to the Fire’s bye week next weekend.
The injury marks Segares' longest layoff since missing the final four matches of the 2010 season.
"It’s frustrating," he said. "It’s a high ankle sprain and they say it takes time but I’m not a person that likes to just sit. I keep trying to come on the field and push myself but it just keeps bothering me. It’s not there yet."
The injury means it’s likely Greg Cochrane will continue his run at left back for a fifth straight match.
“I’ve been pleased with [Greg],” said Yallop. “It’s not an easy thing to do to be consistent and strong in our league but Greg’s not let himself down at all. He’s an up and coming player that learns as he goes along but one thing about him he doesn’t shirk a run or a play, he just tries his best and I can work with that.”
Defender Steven Kinney is also listed as out with a hamstring strain while Yallop told reporters Thursday that third year defender Hunter Jumper is away from the team dealing with personal issues.
