Report: Gonzalo Veron still "not quite ready" to start training with New York Red Bulls

Gonzalo Veron's slow progress toward returning to the field for the New York Red Bulls continues to be slow. After RBNY training on Tuesday, March 28, head coach Jesse Marsch had ruled out any possibility of the player participating in the team's forthcoming game against Houston Dynamo, but said he was targeting the match against Orlando on April 9 for a possible return to competitive play for Veron.

Indeed, Marsch was sufficiently confident to sketch out a little of RBNY's plan for Veron, including a return to "field work" by Thursday, March 30. Reporting for Metro (no relation), Kristian Dyer advises that first part of the plan didn't pan out. Per Dyer, Marsch advised Veron wasn't yet back on the field:

The plan was to get him running today. He’s not quite ready, We’re hopeful for tomorrow.

In a report for MSG Networks earlier this week, Dyer advised RBNY was considering sending Veron out with NYRB II on April 5 against Harrisburg City Islanders - a game Marsch has since confirmed he wants to see full back Michael Murillo playing in.

Not being quite ready to run on Thursday isn't as significant a set-back as it would be if Veron is not able to participate in training - or a game for NYRB II, if required - next week, but it is indicative of the frustrating progress of his recovery to date.

The Red Bulls and Veron will hope to be able to report better news of his progress next week. Veron hasn't played for RBNY since being forced out of the second leg of the team's CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Vancouver Whitecaps on March 2.