Avery status hinges on practice performance

Argo RB giving hamstring a stiff test Levingston pronounces his ankle fit

Argo running back John Avery says he wants to see how well his hamstring has healed before making any predictions about whether he’ll play in Sunday’s East final against Montreal.

“ With me, I like to practise at a high level before I play at a high level. If I can’t practise at a high level this week it won’t even be a coach’s decision. I won’t allow myself to go out there and take another guy’s roster spot . . . that’s just being selfish,” Avery said yesterday.

After Avery’s late- season hamstring injury, backup Jeff Johnson sparkled as his replacement, giving Toronto another weapon in its running attack. Coach Mike Clemons said he and his coaching staff won’t wait too long deciding whether to use Avery on Sunday. “We won’t deliberate a real long time on that this week because of the importance of this game,” Clemons said. LEVINGSTON WANTS IN:

Argo kick/ punt return specialist Bashir Levingston says the right ankle he tweaked during the final regular season game is fine. Levingston, who is always a threat on special teams, injured the ankle during a kick return against Ottawa.

“ The ankle feels good. It’s a tiny bit sore and I had treatment on it, but I’m fine for Sunday,” he said. TAKING SHELTER:

The rain has made the field at U of T’s Erindale College campus a soggy mess, so the Argos have moved their practices to the Oakville Sports Dome. They worked out there yesterday and, with rain in the forecast over the next few days, will likely be there for most of the week.