TORONTO

Toronto FC's Luke Moore gets permission to skip first practice

The Canadian Press Published Monday, January 25, 2016 2:29PM EST

Italian striker Sebastian Giovinco (right) and teammates attend training camp, Monday, Jan.25, 2016 under the bubble at Toronto FC's training facility. (Neil Davidson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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TORONTO - English forward Luke Moore was absent Monday as Toronto FC held its first open practice of the MLS pre-season.

Club officials said the reserve striker, who is under contract, had been given permission to train with a team in England but was expected back. That included a stint with Aston Villa, his former club.

Toronto captain Michael Bradley and striker Jozy Altidore are away with the U.S. national team while midfielder Will Johnson is headed to Canada's camp in San Diego.

The only other TFC player missing Monday was draft choice Darius Madison, a forward who is expected to join the team in California.

Toronto leaves Wednesday to train in the Los Angeles area before returning home in February for a week. The team will then wrap up training camp in Orlando.

TFC opens the season March 6 at the New York Red Bulls. The club will play its first eight games on the road due to stadium renovations before opening at BMO Field on May 7 against the Houston Dynamo.