Benny Feilhaber returned to full training with Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, with his club optimistic the key midfielder will be able to play this weekend.
Feilhaber, 32, missed the Sporting KC's past two games with a hamstring strain, and is eager to get back in the squad before road games against Portland and Dallas, the top two teams in the Western Conference.
"I felt good," the U.S. international told the Kansas City Star. "There's still a little bit to go in terms of fitness and feeling good about playing longer than 30 or 45 minutes. But having said that, my movements feel pretty good. I feel loose and not restricted. It's going as planned right now."
Sporting KC travel to face the Timbers on Saturday night before another game away at FC Dallas a week later.
"The plan is to try to get him [available] in the 18, and train him in full without having a modified training session," coach Peter Vermes said. "He has to be back in full. That would make him eligible for the 18."
Feilhaber has one goal in three games this season. Without him in the lineup, SKC managed a goalless draw at Toronto FC before beating the Colorado Rapids 3-1 at home.