The tooth hurts on injury front

How bad are Toronto FC’s injury problems? Defender Chris Mavinga missed practice Thursday after having a tooth removed the day before, a problem that apparently was related to his ongoing hamstring issue.

“There is some correlation there. I was dumbfounded as well,” said Toronto coach Greg Vanney. “But then I actually had the medics do some research.”

The French defender has been dealing with a variety of issues that all seemed connected. It was initially thought he had a sports hernia, but then the focus turned on the hamstring.

After Mavinga raised the tooth issue, medical staff found some overseas soccer studies showing there can be a connection between tooth infections and soft-tissue injuries.

Now that the offending tooth has been removed, the MLS team is waiting to have a scan done to see the extent of the other injuries. Mavinga, who left last Friday’s 1-0 loss to FC Dallas after 45 minutes, is not expected to figure in Saturday’s game at Columbus.

There are plenty of other TFC walking wounded. Striker Jozy Altidore (foot) and defender Drew Moor (calf ) remain longterm casualties.

All-star fullback Justin Morrow, who has played in just one league game this season due to a calf injury, is back on the field and “moving in the right direction,” according to Vanney.

Morrow still needs a week to 10 days before rejoining the main training group, however. Spanish midfielder Ager Aketxe (groin strain) is likely out for a few weeks after being hurt in a tackle. Defender Eriq Zavaleta (quad) did some straight-ahead running Thursday and is expected to rejoin training next week. Fullback Ashtone Morgan (hamstring) is also close to returning to full training.

“The big thing for us now is to not lose guys that we’re getting back,” said Vanney.

On the plus side, Liechtenstein wingback Nico Hasler is back in full training from a quad issue. Alex Bono returns in goal after making his U.S. debut in a 3-0 win over Bolivia.

Toronto (3-7-1) languishes in ninth spot in the Eastern Conference. Columbus (7-3-4) stands second.