Toronto FC will have to make do without forward Danny Dichio for a little while longer.

Dichio, 33, hasn't played for the Major League Soccer club since suffering a concussion in a 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps in a Canadian Champions League game on Canada Day.

The Englishman, who leads Toronto in scoring with five goals this season, took part in some light training with his teammates Tuesday morning.

Toronto could use Dichio in the lineup, as the team is winless in its last six regular season contests — and its past 11 games overall — having last tasted victory on June 14

But Toronto coach John Carver doesn’t believe he'll be ready to play in Saturday's road contest against the Colorado Rapids.

"I can’t see Danny playing on Saturday," admitted Carver.

"We just don't know how he is going to respond, so it's a difficult situation. I've got to be a realist, and I can't see Danny playing this weekend because he's not even headed a ball yet. As a forward you have to head the ball, and until he can do that, I can't play him."

The outlook for fellow forward Chad Barrett is more positive.

Acquired in a trade with the Chicago Fire last week, the 23-year-old American made his debut for Toronto in Sunday's 2-0 loss to FC Dallas at home. He was pulled from the game in the second half due to a leg cramp, but Carver expects Barrett will be ready to face Colorado.

"He's done more recovery work today on the bikes," Carver said. "We didn't want him to join in the (training) session because we want to make sure he recovers. He'll be fine for Saturday."

No word on new striker

For the past few weeks, Toronto general manager Mo Johnston has been negotiating to sign an international striker.

After the Dallas game, Carver told reporters the club was "quite close" to finalizing a deal with the unnamed player, but when asked on Tuesday for an update, the coach couldn't provide one.

"I think you need to ask Mo that," said Carver.

Johnston turned down a request to talk to the media about the negotiations.

Time is of the essence because the transfer window closes on Aug. 15.

"I know the clock is clicking," said Carver, adding the club has a backup plan in place if the deal can't be concluded by the Aug. 15 deadline. Carver wouldn't identify what other players the club is looking at.

Toronto-born Dave Simpson, a 25-year-old striker who recently played with Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic, trained with Toronto FC on Tuesday.

"He's out of contract and back home so it's a chance for us to have a look at him," explained Carver.

Also training with the club was forward Derek Gaudet, a native of Bayside, N.S., and a member of Canada's youth team.

"We're considering him for our developmental roster," said Carver.

Courtesy cbc.ca