New York Red Bulls may be without new signing Wilman Conde for the 2012 MLS season opener against FC Dallas on March 11.

The 29-year old Colombian defender is battling an ankle problem at present and Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe says it may be better to treat his injury with caution so as not to lose another key centre-back after Tim Ream joined Premier League club Bolton Wanderers in January.

"I'm not quite sure about that (if he will play round 1),'' said Backe who is getting his players ready for the Desert Diamond Cup pre-season comp.

"I hope; but we have to be smart because if we rush it now and something happens with his ankle then we lose him for months.

"It would be great if he could play 20, 25 minutes against New England. Otherwise it has to be the Galaxy for 45 minutes.

"He has to get more mobility in his ankle,'' added Backe. "Hopefully he can get some minutes Saturday.''

 The game is about opinions. Make yours heard! Join the tribalfootball.com nation on Facebook today: Facebook.com/tribalfootball