Giovani dos Santos is expected to return for the LA Galaxy's match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
The Mexican international was removed at half-time in last weekend's goalless draw with the Montreal Impact because of "groin soreness," but Galaxy manager Bruce Arena said on Thursday that he expects his No. 10 to play this week.
"He's doing fine. We plan on playing him," Arena told reporters after practice on Thursday.
The absence of the influential playmaker left a creative hole in the Galaxy attack against Montreal, which was evident to teammates.
"[You miss] his creativity, his cleverness around the box," Galaxy striker Robbie Keane said on Thursday.
"And, obviously, to set people up, he's very, very good at that. He's a big player when he doesn't play."