Timbers starting goalkeeper Troy Perkins is happy that Jake Gleesonhas played well in the past two games. But the happiness only goes so far before the competitiveness kicks in.

"The kid's done well. I love coming every day and seeing him grow," Perkins said. "But still, I want to get back, fight for it and prove I can do the job."

Gleeson started the season on the third string but has started two games -- a U.S. Open Cup match and a regular season game at New England -- because of injuries to Perkins and backup Adin Brown.

Perkins is nearly fully recovered from a preseason knee injury, and he's anxious to regain his starting position.

"I've been itching like you wouldn't believe," Perkins said. "They go off and play and I'm told I've got to do more fitness. So it's tough to swallow."

Perkins, 29, says he should be ready when the Timbers play their first Major League Soccer home game against Chicago Thursday at Jeld-Wen Field. He suffered a partially torn ligament in his right knee March 15, four days before the Timbers' regular season opening game. Perkins ramped up his conditioning and footwork and expects to receive a full medical clearance Monday.

Portland Timbers coach John Spencer would not name a starter for Thursday night, in part but because he's unsure whether Perkins will be ready physically, but he quickly dismissed the possibility of a goalkeeper issue.

"There's no controversy," Spencer said. "We're not trying to create any situation. There's no problem."

At the beginning of training camp, there appeared to be little question about who the starting goalkeeper would be. But that was before the injuries.

Gleeson, a 20-year-old rookie, replaced then backup goalkeeper Adin Brown after he suffered a hamstring injury during the Timbers 2-0 loss at Toronto March 26. By all accounts, the Timbers are pleased with Gleeson's play, which has validated their decision to sign him to a contract in January.

"It's definitely a difficult situation for me. I'd love to play in the first home-opener and I would be gutted if I didn't make that starting spot," Gleeson said. "You can't say you're OK with it. You do understand, but it would be devastating."

Gleeson earned praise for his MLS debut performance in the Toronto game, which included Major League Soccer's save of the week. Gleeson recorded a shutout in the Timbers' 2-0 win against Chivas in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match March 29 and his five saves helped the Timbers finish with a 1-1 draw at New England April 2.

"It comes down to how much work I want to put in and how much I want to start in that home game," Gleeson said. "I think if it is given to Troy, then it's through my own fault of not trying hard enough and not because the coaches have taken it away from me."

Perkins said he has seen fan chatter on message boards and knows some would like the team to stick with Gleeson in goal.

"Jake's been doing well. But when you hear people say, '(Jake's) the No. 1 (goalkeeper),' I'm like, 'Wait a minute. I haven't had a chance to show myself or prove what I can do,' " Perkins said. "I haven't even played yet."

The Timbers acquired Perkins by sending goalkeeper Steve Cronin to D.C. United in December. Perkins was the second-highest paid goalkeeper in MLS last season, earning $200,000 (Seattle's Kasey Keller was paid $300,000 in 2010). The goalkeeper viewed his arrival in Portland as a chance to erase a disastrous 2010 season.

Considering the cash and cost to bring him to Portland, it's seems unlikely that Spencer would keep Perkins on the bench when he's healthy.

However, Perkins has yet to play in a full scrimmage since the injury, let alone in a regular season game.

"Troy's done nothing wrong. He tweaked his knee in preseason and he's pushing himself to come back," Spencer said. "We spent a lot of money to get him and we made a big trade to get him here."

The current situation brings back not-so-fond memories for Perkins, who was benched last season by D.C. United was benched in favor of then 19-year-old Bill Hamid. Perkins started later in the season after shoulder surgery shelved Hamid for the remainder of the season.

"That situation was different. That was my problem. I just fell apart and wasn't as sharp as I should have been," said Perkins, who gave up 13 goals in D.C. United's first five MLS games. "I wasn't mentally ready. I look in the mirror on that situation and say, 'That was my fault.' "

Even though Perkins is close to returning, Gleeson is not conceding anything.

"I just have to keep working hard in training," Gleeson said. "I hope I'm making the decision tough for them."

Should Spencer pick Perkins to start, Perkins would be facing the pressure of making his first start of the season in the Timbers' first MLS home game. Perkins will also feel the heat of knowing that Gleeson's presence looms in the shadows if he slips into a prolonged slump.

"If I don't step into the situation and do the job, someone else is going to do it," Perkins said. "It's my job to get back and prove to the coaching staff that I deserve to be there."