Defender Shane O'Neill has joined Toronto FC's growing list of injured players

Toronto FC's injury list continues to grow with center back Shane O'Neill.

O'Neal has started all seven games for Toronto this season, three back-to-back games for coach John Herdman. But the 30-year-old Irish-American was substituted at half-time with a quad injury in Saturday's 4-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps.

While the injury is still being assessed, Herdman said O'Neill could be out “for a long time”.

“It could be four weeks. However, it can be longer,” added the coach.

Sigurd Rosted or Kosi Thompson are expected to fill in for O'Neill on Saturday when Toronto (3-3-1) plays Charlotte FC (2-3-2).

Rookie quarterback Tyrese Spicer is dealing with a sprained ankle, a troublesome toe that sidelined him in the preseason. The team expected to have more information on the injury after meeting with a foot specialist on Thursday.

“Hopefully he can get something this weekend,” Herdman said. “But an expert might say otherwise.”

Spicer has started the last three games after coming off the bench to make his MLS debut at New York City FC on March 16.

Toronto already has Italian star Lorenzo Insigne, defender Richie Laria and midfielder Brandon Servania, while Laria and Servania have recovered from hip and knee surgeries, respectively. Insigne is expected to miss six weeks on March 23 when he was taken off the pitch in first-half stoppage time when he visited Atlanta United.

Forward Jordan Perruzza worked out privately during a session open to the media on Thursday. He sprained his ankle while playing for Toronto FC II.

“I don't see Jordan available this weekend,” Herdman said.

Defenseman Raul Petretta, who last played at home for Toronto on March 9, remains questionable. Gerdman said Petretta was “in danger when he was tired” with his injury while training this week.

“Does he start the game, does he finish the game?” Gerdman said. “These are the decisions we have to make.”

The good news is that centre-back Nixoen Gomis, who plays the left side of the back three with Irish full-back Kevin Long in the middle, is back in action wearing a cast to protect his wrist, which was surgically repaired last weekend.

After starting the season undefeated in the first three games (2-0-1), Toronto has lost three of its last four games, 9-4.

Concerns about durability will force a change in strategy when TFC starts playing two games a week, Herdman said

“We cannot be a high-pressure department,” he said.

Gerdman also said his medical team is “working hard behind the scenes” to check every injury.

O'Neill has been the hardest-working player on the team this season in meters per minute, he said.

“He just pushed and pushed and pushed. And he pushed too far where his body broke,” Herdman said. “Sometimes when a 30-year-old has had chronic injuries in the past, the body can still push that profile.

“He gave it his all.”

O'Neill celebrated his 50th appearance for the club in all competitions on 30 March against Sporting Kansas City.

Herdman said the club had not “loaded” training sessions to protect the players.

“Sometimes it's just luck. We've had another bad luck with Shane.”

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This Canadian Press report was first published on April 11, 2024.

Neil Davidson, Canadian Press