TORONTO -- Tyler Bozak isnt yet on the cusp of returning. But when hes eligible to come off long-term injured reserve Dec. 29, the Toronto Maple Leafs centre figures his torn oblique will be healed up enough to get back into the lineup. "Its still getting better every day. It feels pretty good now," Bozak said Thursday. "If theres a problem, maybe, but right now it looks like Ill be back right when IR ends." Bozak has been out since Dec. 5 and missed Torontos home game Thursday night against Phoenix. And with the Leafs having placed him on the long-term list, Bozak must also miss upcoming games against Detroit, the New York Rangers and Buffalo before being free to return against Carolina three days before the Winter Classic. The 27-year-old skated with teammates Thursday at the Air Canada Centre but hes obviously on his own track while the Leafs seek to reverse their fortunes. After missing 12 games earlier this year with a hamstring injury, Bozak is dealing with another difficult problem with his oblique. "Kind of like the same thing last year but a lot worse this year," he said. "I dont know what it is, to be honest. "I kind of stressed it a lot on faceoffs. I think it mightve happened on that. I think its just pretty unlucky and nothing you can get too down on yourself about." Bozaks injury came with the Leafs already missing centre Dave Bolland, who still hasnt resumed skating after having a tendon in the back of his ankle severed in late October. The latest injury down the middle came Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers when impressive journeyman callup Trevor Smith broke a bone in his right hand blocking a shot. "I dont know whats going on with us," Bozak said of Torontos injury woes. "I think its all been pretty unfortunate stuff with Smitty and Bolly, things that you never want to see happen and they cant really control by any means." Bozak cant control much right now other than his rehab. Being forced to watch the Leafs go 3-5-0 without him certainly hasnt helped matters. "Its not fun to watch, its never fun to watch," Bozak said. "Its not fun to watch if youre winning or if youre losing. "Obviously you want to be out there helping the guys and stuff like that." Bozak is used to being able to help, typically as the No. 1 centre alongside roommate and friend Phil Kessel, who had two goals in the eight games prior to Thursdays contest with Phoenix. Bozak hasnt had any season like this before and is trying to stay positive. "Ive not really been injured at all, knock on wood, except for college I had surgery on my one knee the one year," he said. "My first years here I missed a handful of games each year, but nothing too serious. "Obviously its been tough, but I hope I can come back stronger and help the team." Authentic Armani Watts Jersey . - Tom Brady and the Patriots routed the Bengals and quieted the doubters. Authentic Jordan Devey Jersey . Bozak and Clarkson suffered the injuries in pre-training camp workouts, according to Carlyle, who said they made "small amounts of improvement" from Friday to Saturday. After the players were deemed less than 100 per cent by doctors after Thursdays medical testing, the Leafs held them out of on-ice testing and are being cautious. http://www.cheapchiefsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-cameron-erving-jersey . With the results, North America claimed 2.5 of the three available points, opening up a 17.5-12.5 lead in the overall standings. A total of 60 points are available, meaning the first team to 30.5 points will win the Continental Cup. Authentic Damien Williams Jersey .Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday it is inevitable that the league will one day take after European sports and have sponsor names on team jerseys. Authentic Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Jersey ." One game is checked off, 15 remain and the next one to get crossed out could come Tuesday night when the defending champion Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.LONDON -- Former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins expects to miss this years race, complaining that his team is focusing on his bitter rival and defending champion Chris Froomes title defence. Wiggins, who became the first British rider to win cyclings showpiece two years ago, was not selected to compete with Froome at the Criterium du Dauphine, the tuneup event for the Tour. It was a clear indication that he was unlikely to line up in Yorkshire on July 5 for the Tours start in England. Speaking to the BBC Breakfast program on Friday, the 34-year-old multiple Olympic gold medallist voiced his disappointment at being left out by Team Sky despite a recent surge in form and his victory at the Tour of California last month. "I am gutted," Wiggins said. "I feel I am in the form I was two years ago. Now if I want to go to the Tour again, the reality is that I might have to go elsewhere. I also understand that cycling is a team sport and it is all about Team Sky winning and Chris is defending champion." Wiggins contract with Sky expires at the end of the season. Although Wiggins told French newspaper LEquipe there is still a chance he may make the Tour if Froome picks up an injury at the Dauphine from June 8-15, its unlikely Wiggins will be riding in France this summer. "Having missed the Tour again this year, I wouldnt likee to leave it there," said the former pursuit specialist, who could now turn his focus on competing on the track at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in August.dddddddddddd "Id love to go back at some point so there is the chance that I would go back to the Tour next year." Froome will warm up for the Tour at the Dauphine while Wiggins is still expected to compete at the Tour de Suisse. Froome, who also won the weeklong Dauphine in France last year as part of his dominant season, will be surrounded by a team made of strong climbers in the mountainous event, including last years Dauphine runner-up Richie Porte, Vasil Kiryienka, David Lopez, Mikel Nieve, Danny Pate, Geraint Thomas and Xabier Zandio. Froome and Wiggins have endured a frosty relationship over the past few years. Tensions first arose during the 2012 Tour, with Froome sometimes looking the stronger rider in the climbs but being ordered by the team to support Wiggins rather than attack. Last year, after suggesting he would seek to defend his title and upset Skys plans of making Froome its leader, Wiggins missed the race because of health issues and Froome easily won the 100th edition of the race. Froome recently said his relationship with Wiggins was back to normal, and Wiggins was adamant he would support his younger teammate if he was selected. ' ' '