Toronto FC's Ali Gerba, left, was sent home from pre-season training in South Carolina on Monday. (Associated Press)

Toronto FC is keeping pretty tight-lipped about Ali Gerba's future, but the Canadian forward is saying plenty.

In a report published on the website of Radio-Canada, the French-language version of CBC, Gerba said that his days as a member of TFC could soon be over. That revelation came after the Reds sent Gerba home Monday from pre-season training in South Carolina.

Asked by Radio-Canada if he thought this marked the end of his association with Toronto FC, Gerba answered, "Yes, I believe so."

Gerba also told Radio-Canada that he is working with his lawyer to negotiate his release from his guaranteed contract with the Major League Soccer club.

Toronto FC general manager Mo Johnston did not immediately return an email message from CBCSports.ca seeking a comment.

Gerba left the team on Monday, with Johnston telling CBCSports.ca that the coaching staff felt it was necessary to send him back to Toronto because he was underperforming in TFC's pre-season.

"He's worked hard but his play was not up to scratch," said Johnston, who also stressed that Gerba had not been let go by the club.

"He's on a guaranteed contract.... He's still with us," the Toronto GM stated.

The next day, the club issued a press statement, confirming that Gerba was sent back to Toronto. The team also said it would not comment any further on the matter until it returns home from South Carolina next week.

'I could not do justice'

Gerba took issue with Johnston's comments about his game not being "'up to scratch.'

"They're saying anything. At the moment, I'm in good shape. That's [just an excuse] they found to explain my dismissal," Gerba told Radio-Canada.

Gerba, 27, signed with Toronto last June after being released by English club Milton Keynes Dons. TFC acquired his MLS rights as part of a trade earlier that month that brought defender Nick Garcia over from the San Jose Earthquakes.

It was hoped that Gerba, who was born in Cameroon and later moved to Montreal, would bolster Toronto's offence, giving the team a legitimate goal-scoring threat up front.

But it didn't work out that way. Gerba appeared to be overweight and out of shape when he arrived in Toronto. He scored one goal in 11 regular-season games (five as a starter) last season and routinely sat on the bench as rookie forward O'Brian White took his place in the starting lineup.

Toronto begins the 2010 MLS regular season on the road, against the Columbus Crew on March 27.