Chris Gbandi is working hard to overcome an ankle injury and get back on the field. (Scott Wambsganss/MLS/WireImage.com)

By Steve Hunt / MLSnet.com Staff

FCD defender Chris Gbandi has served his suspension for this red card. (Scott Wambsgnanss/MLS/WireImage.com)

FRISCO, Texas -- After missing last Saturday's season opener against Real Salt Lake, last year's defender of the year for FC Dallas, left back Chris Gbandi, could return to the lineup when the Hoops travel to the West Coast to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy Thursday (ESPN2, 9 p.m. CT).
Gbandi was one of two key components of the FC Dallas rearguard missing to open the season, along with goalkeeper Dario Sala, who is suspended for the first six games of the campaign.

Gbandi suffered a grade two sprain of his ankle on FCD's trip to Brazil in early March, although he was suspended anyway for the opener after receiving a red card in the final game of the 2006 season. Sala earned his suspension in the same match, a loss to Colorado in the Western Conference Semifinals.

But on Monday, Gbandi returned to the field, playing 45 minutes in a scrimmage against the University of Tulsa. He will likely be available for selection for Thursday's match at The Home Depot Center and then's Sunday affair with the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium.

"It's a coaches' decision but if they need me to start or come off the bench, I'm ready to do it," Gbandi said. "I don't know if I'm 90 minutes fit yet but think I will do a pretty good job if I was given the opportunity."

Gbandi's return comes at a good time for the FCD back line, which looked a bit shaky at times in last weekend's 2-2 draw at RSL. The former University of Connecticut standout is the most seasoned player of that group and will be looked upon because of his leadership and experience.

"We had a reserve game [Monday] and tried to push Chris through as much of that as we could," said FCD head coach Steve Morrow. "He played a good 45 minutes and felt he could have played on a little more. The fitness is OK. The ankle is 100 percent healed, so that's good news. He just needs to keep strengthening that as well. He's approaching match fitness and will be available for the game in L.A. We'll take it day-to-day to see how much we can push him through."

When Gbandi went down in Brazil, FCD officials and coaches initially feared the worst - that he might miss months rather than weeks. But when the MRI came back showing a sprain instead of a break, both Gbandi and his side breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"When it first happened, I thought I would be out for a long, long time," Gbandi said. "When I heard 4-6 weeks, they were pushing more for six weeks, I scheduled the L.A. game as the one that I wanted to be back for. (Head trainer) Josh (Watts) and (assistant trainer) Robby (Cox) did a great job working with me and I was fortunate enough to heal quickly and be able to come back."