Atlanta United: News on Martinez is no news

Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez is still out, manager Gerardo Martino didn’t have any new information on when he may return.

The forward, who suffered a thigh injury while on national duty with Venezuela on March 23, originally was expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Under that timetable, the earliest he could return is next week’s game against D.C. United. That may be optimistic.

“We have a timetable for him,” Martino said Wednesday through an interpreter. “There’s still more to wait with his injury.”

Martinez leads the team with five goals, scoring them in three games. Atlanta United was 2-1-0 with Martinez in the starting lineup. It is 0-1-2 since his injury with all three games played on the road.

Hector Villalba has played the position twice, scoring two goals. Kenwyne Jones started last week and scored a goal in a 2-1 loss at Montreal.

Starting fullback Tyrone Mears, who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury, returned to training Wednesday. Martino said Mears will be evaluated Thursday ahead of Saturday’s game at Real Salt Lake.

Midfielder Jacob Peterson, who has missed the past two games, has a muscular issue and likely will be out for at least another week.

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