Tim Cahill is set to miss New York Red Bulls' midweek meeting with Houston Dynamo.
The Australian international missed two matches with a hamstring he sustained last month but managed just under half an hour of New York's 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union last Wednesday.
The Red Bulls host the Dynamo this Wednesday night but Cahill will be absent as head coach Mike Petke looks to have the Designated Player ready for the weekend's trip to Columbus Crew.
"That's definitely a short-term goal to have him ready for Saturday," said Petke.
"However, it's important for Tim to feel 100 percent, whereas last year he would play through anything. This year, we're forcing him not to. It's not fair to him; he's a year older.
"We need to get him 100-percent healthy so he feels comfortable, and until that point comes that he's able to do everything - sprint full, fitness-wise get around for 90 minutes - then he's going to continue to work off the field."
The Red Bulls find themselves sitting eighth on the Eastern Conference table with seven points from seven outings following their season-first win over the Union last week.
