Landon Donovan injury update: He says he's out until playoffs

If the LA Galaxy are going to improve their playoff positioning, they'll apparently have to do it without Landon Donovan. The second-leading assist man in MLS told reporters on Friday that he is focusing on getting ready for the playoffs as he heals from a bone bruise to his left knee.

"I'm getting better, it's progressing, it's a slow process but I have a goal of being ready by he playoffs whenever that may start," he said. "It's pretty painful. It's just now letting it heal and dealing with the pain threshold. I think if we were in different circumstances, I'd just play through the pain. The goal now is the playoffs. If it takes missing a couple games at the end of the regular season, it's better to be 100 percent for the playoffs."

Donovan hurt his knee late in the Galaxy's loss to Real Salt Lake on Oct. 6, which also forced him out of a pair of recent United States World Cup qualifiers. Donovan also missed three league games and two more qualifiers with a hamstring injury earlier this year.

When healthy, Donovan has been among the best players in the league. His 14 assists were two shy of a career high and his nine goals are the second highest total on the team.

The Galaxy currently sit in fourth place in the West, three points behind the Sounders, who they play in their season finale. The Galaxy face the Earthquakes on Saturday.

For more on how the Galaxy will cope without Donovan, be sure to check out LAG Confidential.