Portland Thorns midfielder Tobin Heath will make her season debut Friday when the club hosts the Washington Spirit at Providence Park.

Heath missed the first three games of the 2018 NWSL season after undergoing ankle surgery in the offseason.

Thorns coach Mark Parsons did not say how many minutes he expects Heath to play Friday, but did confirm that the star midfielder would make her season debut in the game.

"We feel really confident right now," Parsons said. "I think the minimum she gets is on the field and I think she's going to get a really good run out."

Heath has had a difficult journey to get back on the field.

After having a career year in 2016 and being awarded the 2016 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year Award, Heath suffered a back injury at the beginning of 2017.

The injury turned out to be much worse than initially expected and Heath missed the majority of the 2017 NWSL season as she worked her way back to full health.

The 29-year-old finally returned to the field in September for a match against the Orlando Pride. She went on to play in the final two games of the NWSL regular season before starting in both of Portland's playoff matches.

But Heath suffered an ankle injury in the 2017 NWSL Championship Game last October and had to undergo surgery in the offseason.

"She came back at the end of last year, did incredibly well to come back and play in some of the biggest, fastest games of the year for us," Parsons said. "Take those games out, this has been a 12-month process now for her."

Now, the Thorns are hopeful that Heath will be back on the field for good.

The Thorns were extra careful with Heath's recovery this season as she missed the first three games of 2018. Parsons said he is now confident that the 29-year-old is fully healthy and ready to contribute once again.

"Such a tough situation, but she managed it super well," Parsons said. "We have two, three four weeks now of continuing to build her and make sure she stays in this great place that we're currently at with her... I think we're all excited to see a fresh and energized and really hungry Tobin."

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg