Thomas Müller back in full Whitecaps training ahead of key home stretch

Thomas Müller was a full participant at Vancouver Whitecaps training on Monday, his first full session since a hamstring strain on Oct. 6, and is expected to return this week.

The 37-year-old could feature in the Whitecaps' final two regular-season home matches: Wednesday against San Diego and Sunday against Seattle. According to Daily Hive Vancouver, he told Offside after training: "When I'm chatty, I'm healthy."

Why it matters

Vancouver leads the Western Conference, and the top spot is still up for grabs. The Whitecaps are 16-8-7 with 55 points. FC Dallas is one point back at 15-7-9, with games left against Columbus, Kansas City and Colorado.

The first MLS playoff seeding tiebreaker is wins, followed by goal differential. If Vancouver finishes first, it could open its playoff run at BC Place on Sunday, Nov. 22, after a midweek wildcard match between the eighth and ninth seeds. Brian White said home-field advantage would be huge, pointing to the home support and not having to travel.

The Whitecaps went 1-2-1 without Müller, scoring three goals and conceding three.

What we know

• Müller has been out since the Oct. 6 hamstring strain. Head coach Jesper Sørensen, asked how much he will play Müller, said: "That's what we have to see."
• Emmanuel Sabbi left Saturday's 1-0 loss to Colorado in the first half with an ankle injury and will miss this week's games. Sørensen called it a high ankle sprain. He did not know how long Sabbi would be out, saying it shouldn't be that long, hopefully.
• Andrés Cubas is unavailable against San Diego because of an ankle injury.
• Yadaly Diaby, who left Saturday's match at halftime, should be good to go this week, according to Sørensen.
• The Whitecaps expect more than 20,000 fans against San Diego. That would be their 27th consecutive MLS match with a crowd of that size.
• More than 30,000 are expected Sunday against Seattle, with the BC Place upper bowl opened. The club's highest MLS attendance is 40,086, on Aug. 1 against LAFC.
• It will be the first time the Whitecaps play before home supporters since Sept. 26.
• Surrey's Jeevan Badwal said the players are excited and that wins are needed in this stretch.

What remains unclear

Sørensen did not say how much Müller will play. Sabbi's return date is also open: the coach said he did not know how long the winger would be out.

Vancouver hosts San Diego on Wednesday and Seattle on Sunday. MLS Decision Day follows on Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Whitecaps travel to face CF Montreal.