MINNEAPOLIS - As the losses have mounted for the Minnesota Timberwolves, injured point guard Ricky Rubio has never been missed more.It has been almost 11 weeks since he went down with a severely sprained left ankle, and the length of his recovery has drawn impatience from a fan base desperate to see Rubio throw lob passes to Andrew Wiggins.But on a night when the Wolves finally got centre Nikola Pekovic back from a 31-game absence, coach Flip Saunders shed some light on the nature of Rubios injury. Saunders said Rubio not only suffered a high ankle sprain against Orlando on Nov. 7, but also damaged some muscles and ligaments that lead from his ankle to his toes, prolonging the recovery process.Its not him not wanting to play or not working, Saunders said before Wednesday nights game against Dallas. Hes doing everything he can. We as an organization and the doctors who are involved have been the ones who have tried to hold him back.The Wolves began the day with a 7-33 record, buried in last place in the Western Conference. Rubio, Pekovic (right ankle) and starting shooting guard Kevin Martin (fractured right wrist) all have missed more than 30 games, gutting the Wolves of three veterans who were being counted upon to lead a young and rebuilding team. In their absence, Wiggins, the No. 1 overall pick who headlined the trade that sent Kevin Love to Cleveland, fellow rookie Zach LaVine and second-year players Gorgui Dieng, Shabazz Muhammad, Robbie Hummel and Anthony Bennett have been left to fend for themselves.Rubio has been forced to watch from the bench, and his pained expressions, frustrated gyrations and willingness to give advice to the youngsters after they exit the game have provided some of the few instances of entertainment in a season that will end without a playoff appearance for the 11th straight year.Saunders said Rubio, who signed a four-year, $55 million contract extension in October that will kick in next season, visited two specialists recently and both cautioned that a return too soon could cause a stress fracture in his leg that would only compound his problems.Its a very unique ankle sprain, Saunders said. They said at the time its going to be worse than a high ankle sprain, and everyone knows those go eight to 12 weeks. So it has nothing to do with him not wanting to play.On the bright side, the Wolves did get their bruising centre back and Martin is moving closer to a return. Pekovic has played in just nine games this season while battling chronic issues in his foot. Saunders said he would come off the bench early on while he worked his way back into game shape.Pekovic has visited doctors at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester to try to come up with treatments for his ankle. He has three years left on the five-year, $60 million contract he signed before last season.We feel pretty confident that the Mayo Clinic and the medical people have done a great job identifying what his problem was and it more has to do with his joints than it has to do with an injury-type situation, Saunders said. So right now, I think well be able to monitor it as we have been the last month or so after we found out exactly what we were dealing with.The 6-foot-11 Pekovic said he feels confident the new treatments and workouts will help him going forward.Weve finally had to find the real therapy and hopefully everythings going to go well, Pekovic said. Its like half of the season left, and hopefully Ill go through the rest of the season with no major issues. Vincent Kompany Jersey . -- The Chicago Bears say they have agreed to a one-year contract with centre Roberto Garza. Toby Alderweireld Belgium Jersey . Watching them over the past year - and in some cases, two years - has given us a starting point for this seasons Craigs List. http://www.belgiumsoccerpro.com/Toby-Ald...Belgium-Jersey/. Ghoulam has put pen to paper on a four and a half year deal, tying him to Napoli until 2018. The 22-year-old Algeria international, who played for France at Under 21 level, has made 87 league appearances in four seasons at Saint-Etienne. Thomas Meunier Jersey . Browns owner Jimmy Haslam announced the move with Young on Monday during a speech at a Pro Football Hall of Fame luncheon. Dries Mertens Belgium Jersey . - Hitting was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Pirates weakness coming into the season yet they lead the major leagues in home runs through the first 16 games of the season.TORONTO -- Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario is happy to be back home, saying he has unfinished business with Toronto FC. "This is my city," the Toronto native said upon his arrival Wednesday night. And the 35-year-old former league MVP says he is hoping to making 2014 a memorable year. "Im really looking forward to it," De Rosario told The Canadian Press. "I like the vision that (MLSE president) Tim Leiweke has. Its along the same lines and goals that I had when I came here the first time round." "For me when I left, it felt like there was some unfinished business that I still need to take care of," he added. Toronto FC scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon at BMO Field to herald his return. De Rosario currently ranks sixth on the all-time MLS scoring list with 103 goals. Twenty-seven of those came in a Toronto jersey from 2009 to 2011. He was traded to New York just two games into the 2011 season after a public contract dispute that included De Rosario celebrating a goal at home by pretending to sign a cheque. Toronto selected De Rosario in Stage 2 of the MLS re-entry draft last month after D.C. United opted not to pick up his option at the end of the season. Had De Rosario not agreed to Torontos contract offer, TFC would have held the right of first refusal for the attacking midfielder in MLS. De Rosario made US$654,300 in 2013 but will undoubtedly earn less in Toronto, which will be looking for the Canadian international to mentor younger players while offering support to a new-look marquee attack.dddddddddddd He will be joining a club that is making bold moves. England striker Jermain Defoe is set to be unveiled next Monday, according to a source, and multiple reports have the club making a move for U.S. international midfielder Michael Bradley. Brazilian striker Gilberto signed on last month. De Rosario said the influx of talent is good but it will be up to the senior players "to make sure everyone is on the same page. "Because the sooner we gel, I think the better off it is for everybody." De Rosario wants to play a role on and off the pitch, stressing his passion remains playing. "Theres stuff I want to accomplish individually and collectively as a team," he said. The main goal is success for the team. De Rosario, a 13-year MLS veteran, has played 324 regular-season and 24 playoff games in MLS. He started his career with San Jose and Houston, winning four league titles. A finalist for MVP in 2005 and 2006, he has been chosen to the leagues Best XI six times. De Rosario has also captured MLS Goal of the Year honours twice, in 2004 and 2005. He hoisted the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003 with San Jose and 2006 and 2007 with Houston, earning MLS Cup MVP honours in 2001 and 2007. DeRo finished 2011 with D.C. United, winning the Golden Boot as the leagues top scorer and MVP honours. De Rosario, who said he had other options in terms of clubs last month, hopes to reclaim his No. 14 jersey in Toronto. "This is 2014, so it kind of goes together hand in hand," he said with a laugh. ' ' '