Marner practices, Dubas hopes he's back 'in the coming days'

Mitch Marner is back on the ice and appears to be nearing a return to game action.

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward returned to practice Monday sporting a regular jersey.

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said the team hopes to have Marner back "in the coming days," according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe later echoed that sentiment.

"Based on his performance today, it doesn't look like he's too far away," Keefe told reporters, including The Athletic's Jonas Siegel.

Marner, who hurt his ankle on Nov. 9 against the Flyers, won't play on the road against Philadelphia on Tuesday but can be activated off long-term injured reserve Wednesday. The minimum stay on LTIR is 10 games and 24 days. That would beat the club's initial four-week timeline, on which he wouldn't return until next week.

The 22-year-old has produced 18 points in as many games this season, and his 14 assists still rank third on the club despite his absence from the lineup.