In the last of seven straight matches against Eastern Conference opponents to begin his MLS coaching tenure, Veljko Paunovic is unlikely to regain the services of the pacey David Accam when the Chicago Fire host D.C. United Saturday at Toyota Park (4 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago).
Having not appeared in a match since March 11, Accam continues to rehab a knee sprain that carries with it an approximately 6-8 week timeline for return. The Ghanaian DP once again trained separately from the Men In Red Monday morning.
"The good news is that he’s progressing with his recovery, he’s feeling less pain and it’s very (localized) which is good news," Paunovic said. "Talking to our doctors, they feel very comfortable with how he’s improving and we’ll see if, I don’t know for this game but in the next couple weeks if David can be back to our team and work normally as all the rest of the players."
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Given the unfortunate circumstances, Paunovic is pleased with the response he's seen from his injured attacker, who'll need time to regain a certain level of match fitness once the pain from his injury fully subsides.
"What I can see is of course that he wants to be back as soon as possible and he’s working hard with our medical team for that," Paunovic told reporters Monday. "He’s also a very smart and very mature guy and he understands that he has to do his treatment, keep his emotions under control and not get frustrated."
• With Accam still sidelined, Paunovic continues to look toward fellow Designated Player Gilberto to provide a consistent scoring threat. Despite recording five goals and two assists in 10 appearances in 2015, Gilberto has managed only one assist in his five outings this season, which came in the build-up to Kennedy Igboananike's strike against Montreal on April 16.
"The team needs Gilberto and his capacity to score goals," Paunovic said. "He needs to step up in the coming games. We believe that in the last two weeks he's worked very hard. We are patient with him but it's also important for us that, better sooner than later, he steps up and is scoring goals to help the team win games."
• One veteran who has made his presence felt on the training ground in recent days is goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who's back to a "full-go" status after a wrist sprain limited his time in net for several weeks. Paunovic's decision as to whether Johnson will make his season debut this Saturday is unlikely to be made known before matchday, but regardless, Pauno is happy to see the club's longest tenured player back in the mix.
"It's good for us to have back Sean, we are very happy first of all because he is healthy, he can practice, he can compete for his spot, and that makes our team better," Paunovic said. "That makes our practices also better because now we have more competitors in our team."
Staying in the goalkeeping corps, Paunovic also shared his pleasure with the play on the weekend of Patrick McLain, who made four saves and kept a clean sheet for USL affiliate Saint Louis FC in their 1-0 road win over Sacramento Republic FC.
• After going as an unused sub in Chicago's first two matches this season, midfielder Michael Stephens came on at halftime of the Fire's March 19 draw with Columbus Crew SC and has been a mainstay in the lineup since, providing defensive cover when necessary while also serving as an efficient link between the back line and attacking units.
"He earned the spot and opportunities that he's had so far, we believe that he's doing very good for the team," Paunovic said. "All of us, and I include myself, we have to improve everything we are doing, but his attitude is right, his commitment is right. We are a team that need everybody engaged, everybody working hard and knowing he can help the team at some point."
