



Toronto FC had a full training session at Cherry Beach on Tuesday morning where new signing, fullback Richard Eckersley, trained with the first team.



The 22-year old Englishman on loan from Burnley said he sees "great team spirit" at BMO Field since arriving and that he is "ready to play."



"Wherever the gaffer thinks I can fit in, I'm ready to go on."



As for his fitness, Eckersley believes he can log minutes this Saturday against Columbus but cautions "you don't really know how match fit you are until you play."



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Head coach Aron Winter has monitored Eckersley for two days. On Monday the defender had a workout with the reserves (who had their match in Downsview canceled Sunday morning due to extreme weather conditions), and Winter felt the former Manchester United youth player "looked good" in his system.



Winter and the Reds are ready to move on from last Saturday's disappointing start in a 3-0 loss to D.C. United. Toronto conceded two goals in the first 10 minutes to opportunistic frontmen Chris Pontius and Charlie Davies.



"Morale is good," said the head coach, "we've spoken about the way we reacted after the goals."

"They were not completely focused, how that can happen - I was surprised."

Injury concerns have weighed on Winter's mind. Defender Adrian Cann left Saturday's match early with bruised ribs but Winter believes the Canadian international should be on track for a swift recovery.



As for attacking options, Winter says he will learn more about the condition of Alan Gordon (who missed the past two games) on Tuesday afternoon. On the status of winger Alen Stevanovic, Toronto will "have to be careful," according to the coach, as the Reds enters a very busy period with seven games in 21 days that includes trips to Edmonton, Seattle and Dallas.



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