TORONTO

The night before the worst injury of his career, Will Johnson had his first meeting with Canadian national team bench boss Benito Floro, who had plans to bring the Portland Timbers midfielder with him to Panama for a November friendly.

He remembers the date — Sept. 27, 2014 — because his son, Jaxx, was born a few weeks earlier.

Johnson was in Toronto for a big game against Toronto FC, led by his best bud, Michael Bradley.

“It led to some of my fired up energy,” Johnson told the Toronto Sun on Tuesday night.

That energy, which led to his heavy touch seconds into the match, produced an epic clash.

Johnson, a hard-as-nails midfielder, entered into a tackle with TFC’s Mark Bloom simultaneously – a horrifying sequence that saw the Canadian international shatter the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

WATCH THE INJURY JOHNSON SUFFERED LAST YEAR

“It was a brutal process,” Johnson explained.

Eight months later, the Canadian international looks set to return to BMO – and maybe an MLS playing field – for the first time since suffering that horrendous injury, the most painful process he’s been through.

“I was OK for a couple of minutes,” Johnson recalled, “but once they had to move it to stabilize it, that was the worst part of the pain.”

And so the “brutal” process began – surgery, two nights in hospital, a week in Toronto.

Bradley, who scored a last-gasp game-winner that night after watching Johnson leave in an ambulance, visited his old friend every day.

“It had been years since we were playing in Holland together,” Johnson reminisced.

“There were some positives (to the injury). Getting to see Michael and my mom was two of them.”

It took his mind off a looming self-assessment.

Was that tackle the final play of his career? Would he ever fully recover? How long was that process?

“For sure you think, ‘Is this the end?’” Johnson said. “I’m human. But I thought I could come back.

“I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to be career-ending.”

Some players are never the same, but Johnson, having already suited up multiple times the past few weeks with the Timbers’ USL affiliate, says he knows he’ll eventually get back to being the same old Will Johnson – the warrior, the disruptor, the play-maker.

“I’m not going to sit here and tell you I’m the exact same,” Johnson said.

“But in terms of movement, I feel good. I’ve just gone back to what I’ve always done. It hasn’t been an issue for me”

Johnson’s recovery could come full circle on Saturday when the Timbers, coincidentally, return to BMO Field.

The 28-year-old is hopeful head coach Caleb Porter will include him for Saturday’s match.

“It would just be a special occasion,” Johnson said. “I am kinda over the whole leg thing ... I want it to be about my teammates.”

He’s rational, though. He knows many eyes – on both sides of the border – are eager to see his form.

“There are going to be a lot of question marks,” Johnson added. “I re-signed with the Timbers after 2013 when I was an MLS Best XI player. I make a good salary. I need time to prove I’m still worth that. That’s what the rest of this year will look like.

“I hope to stay in Portland. I embrace this club. I enjoy leading this team.”

He’s hoping that will, once again, get Floro’s attention.

With World Cup qualifying and the Gold Cup fast approaching, Johnson is desperate to get back into the national team picture for the first time in two years.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m available for selection.,” he said. “I’d like to make a difference and elevate Canada’s program even more.

“If I can get in an MLS game and play 90 minutes at a high level, then hopefully I can at least get into the camps.

“I just want an opportunity. If it doesn’t go my way, I understand that.”

He doesn’t need to meet with Floro this time around to get fired up.

Eight months of rehab, according to Johnson, was undoubtedly enough.

“I’d love to come back to Toronto and have it be my first game back,” Johnson said.

“I’d be thrilled if I get on the pitch Saturday.”

Every Canadian national team fan is with him.

ALTIDORE OUT FOR A MONTH

Toronto FC confirmed Tuesday morning that Jozy Altidore will miss 4-5 weeks with a hamstring strain suffered during Saturday’s 1-1 draw in New England.

Altidore sustained the injury midway through the first half at Gillette Stadium.

The U.S. international has had hamstring issues before, most recently when he missed a majority of the 2014 World Cup with a similar injury.

While Altidore will miss a pair of coming friendlies with the U.S., the announced recovery timeline shouldn’t put his Gold Cup participation in doubt. Toronto’s leading goal-scorer is expected to play a massive role for the Yanks in CONCACAF’s regional championship, which begins on July 7.

“Unfortunate injury for @JozyAltidore,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann posted to Twitter. “With upcoming games, other players have the chance to step up and make their case.”

In Altidore’s absence, TFC bench boss Greg Vanney will lean on forwards Luke Moore and Robbie Findley to fill the void, with TFC2 striker Jordan Hamilton also a possibility.

Bright Dike, who is out on loan with San Antonio, can’t be recalled by Toronto FC until July 15 due to MLS transfer rules.

Altidore has six goals and two assists in all competitions this season.