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Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (17) leaves the pitch after losing 3-0 to the Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer sudden death playoff game Thursday, October 29, 2015 in Montreal. Barring a miraculous recovery, Toronto FC will be without striker Altidore for its MLS season opener Sunday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press

Toronto FC looks ready to unleash its full arsenal Saturday against the New England Revolution.

In practice this week, Jozy Altidore was deployed up front with Italian star Sebastian Giovinco in a 4-4-2 formation. Altidore missed the first two games of the season with a minor hamstring issue and saw just 43 minutes of action as a substitute in Toronto's last two outings.

Ready for liftoff, the U.S. international seems poised to get his first start of the season.

"I'm looking forward to it," Altidore said. "I'm looking forward to getting back on the field with the guys. It's a nice fixture as well to come into. [New England] is a good team so it will be a good test for us."

New England (1-1-3) is coming off a 1-0 home win over the New York Red Bulls. Diego Fagundez's goal, scored controversially while a Red Bull was down injured, snapped a four-game winless streak for Jays Heaps' team. The Revs have won the last three meetings with Toronto at Foxborough and are riding a seven-game undefeated streak (5-0-2) against TFC dating back to the 2013 season.

"They're a good team," Toronto coach Greg Vanney said. "They're an active team that can create problems if they've got enough time on the ball. … And it's not an easy place to play in either."

Toronto (1-2-1) lost 1-0 in Colorado last time out, on the midway point of its eight-game season-opening road trip due to renovations at BMO Field.

Still TFC has shown plenty of positive signs. After giving up 58 goals in 34 games last year, tied with Chicago and New York City FC for worst in the league, Toronto is tied for fourth this season with just four goals conceded in four games.

Newcomers Clint Irwin, Steven Beitashour, Drew Moor and Will Johnson have been as advertised. Captain Michael Bradley is flourishing in a deeper role in midfield and the team, albeit on a small sample size, seems on point.

On the minus side, Toronto is tied for 15th in offence with just four goals scored. Giovinco has been a one-man attack with two goals and two assists. To be fair, Vanney's squad has been in defence-first mode, due to its lopsided road schedule.

Altidore, who had 13 goals in 25 games last season, can help shoulder the offensive load. Still starting him means a switch from the 4-3-3 formation Toronto has used to date this season.

But TFC needs to find a way to use both forwards, who made a combined $11.9-million (U.S.) last season, and ensure they connect.

Giovinco likes being near the goal, with teammates to play off of. Altidore is wasted on the flank where his bulk and ability to play others go largely unused. The hope is the two can play off each other and off the wingers, likely Marky Delgado and Canadian Jonathan Osorio this weekend.

Altidore, who jokingly calls himself Giovinco's "enforcer," also gives Toronto some size up front, which has been lacking. And he can occupy defenders, opening up space for Giovinco – a favour the always dangerous Italian can return.

"It's terrific playing with Seba. He's a great guy, a great friend and it's a joy," Altidore said.

If Altidore has been frustrated at his delayed start, he hasn't shown it publicly. While the 26-year-old American has a curiosity that extends well beyond soccer, on the job he is a professional whom Vanney calls a "team-first type of guy."

Toronto rookie forward Tsubasa Endoh has been troubled by a leg contusion that kept him out of last week's game while backup defender Josh Williams has missed training though sickness. Midfielder Benoit Cheyrou is suspended after a red card in Colorado.

New England's Gershon Koffie and Je-Vaughn Watson are back from suspension.

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