Mo Johnston coached Toronto FC during its first season in Major League Soccer. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Toronto FC's pursuit of a designated player will either be rubber-stamped or rejected by the team's board of directors, according to team general manager Mo Johnston.

Johnston said Toronto's proposal to sign a designated player is scheduled to be voted on by the board of the directors of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., the Major League Soccer club's owners.

"Everything goes to the board on the tenth of November. We're looking forward to it, we think the idea will get passed and hopefully we'll have a DP in January or February," Johnston said.

Under league bylaws, teams are granted one designated player roster spot that they can use to sign a marquee star, with only $400,000 of his contract counting against the $2.1 US million salary cap. Teams can also trade for a second DP slot.

The Los Angeles Galaxy famously made use of the DP rule to sign English superstar David Beckham in January 2007.

Johnston said MLSE, which also owns the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, must first approve his proposal to spend the money on such a player.

2 players in his view

The Toronto GM said that there are two players he has his eye on as a potential designated player.

"It's just a matter of how we get one of them," Johnston said.

Earlier this month, Toronto coach John Carver staked his future with the club on its ability to add a designated player to the roster in time for the 2009 MLS season.

"I've gone on record and I'll say it again, because no matter what happens, at the end of the season, if I'm going to be here at this club, we have to do something about it. We have to bring in that quality-type of player," said Carver at the time.

The Englishman went on to say, "We have to do it, because if we don't, I will definitely, definitely go home. No buts about it."

Carver has since backtracked from comments that he would leave if the club doesn't sign a DP in time for next season.

"When I said it, I wasn't trying to hold anybody ransom. It was more or less me saying I guarantee we're going to improve this team. We're gonna take it forward. … That was more or less saying trust me, we're going to do something about it, it wasn't holding MLSE ransom. Nothing like that," Carver told reporters earlier this week.

Carver did stress, however, that he still felt it was important for the club to sign a DP.

"I think everyone at the club understands it's the best way forward and we have to do it," Carver stated.