Josef Martinez returns to Atlanta training as postseason nears

Atlanta United welcomed Josef Martinez back to training on Wednesday.

The free-scoring Venezuelan suffered an injury during Atlanta's 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 21. The reigning MLS Cup champions then failed to win their next two league matches while Martinez was unavailable.

Frank de Boer's team will conclude its regular season with a visit from the New England Revolution on Sunday. Both teams have already punched their playoff ticket, so it's unclear whether Martinez will be risked in the match. As things stand, Atlanta and New England will face each other in the first round of the postseason, but both clubs can change their final Eastern Conference standing this weekend.

Martinez's absence hampered his bid to finish atop the league's scoring ladder. He currently sits third in goals with 26, three behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic's total and five shy of Carlos Vela's tally. Vela netted his 31st of the season with a curling effort against Minnesota United on Sunday, which equaled Martinez's mark for the most goals in a single MLS campaign.