Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath is hoping to have star player Emanuel Reynoso available for training soon, but was unable to offer an exact timetable for his return.

The Argentine playmaker has missed MNUFC’s entire preseason schedule so far due to what the club has called ‘personal matters’.

After returning from Orlando, Florida, just last week, the Loons depart for Palm Springs, California, on Thursday for a three-game friendly tournament to continue their preparations for the 2023 MLS season.

Throughout preseason, Heath has insisted Reynoso will return soon but as of yet, there has been no sign of the 27-year-old.

“We’re hoping,” Heath responded when asked if Reynoso could return soon. “He’s got one or two of his issues, and hopefully we can work through them and he’ll be back whenever he can. …I think everybody is fully aware when people have personal problems. We’ve all been there.”

However, when asked if he could provide a specific timeline for Reynoso’s return, Heath said: “No, not at this moment.”

The first priority is, of course, making sure Reynoso is healthy and in the right head space. However, Heath still has a team to manage and with Minnesota United’s 2023 season opener away at FC Dallas on February 25 fast approaching, the former Everton winger must find solutions.

“It’s never ideal, you want all your players available as soon as possible,” Heath said. “You have to look at the big picture. You have to look at where we want to be come the end of the season. I would like to have everybody available from the very first day of preseason. But that’s probably being too optimistic.”