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Portland Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace could see action for the first time this season when the Timbers play a stretch of three games in eight days, beginning with a game at New York Saturday. Wallace has not played since sustaining a knee injury in November.

(Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian)

Rodney Wallace is edging closer to getting back onto the field for the Portland Timbers.



Wallace trained with the full team Tuesday for the first time since the left winger tore ligaments in his knee in the second game of the Western Conference playoff final in November.



"He's full out in training and he's one that's been cleared for training. He hasn't been cleared yet for games," Portland coach Caleb Porter said. "But I think he's getting close."



Porter said Wallace will "probably" travel with the team for the game in New York on Saturday. The game is the first of three games in eight days for the Timbers. They will play at Chivas on May 28 before returning to Portland for a June 1 home game against Vancouver.



Wallace produced a breakout season in 2013, his sixth in MLS. He scored seven goals and added six assists, both career highs.



"Whether or not he plays depends on how we manage the (stretch of games), but also the doctor ultimately clearing him full out for games," Porter said. "When he is cleared, he's not going to be ready to play 90 minutes. He's a guy we'll have to bring along for a couple of weeks."



Porter did say that Wallace could play limited minutes soon.



"He could perhaps be available off the bench," Porter said. "I doubt New York. Maybe Chivas."

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold