There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for Orlando Pirates coach Rudi Krol with the medical team giving him some encouraging news as far as some of his injured defenders are concerned.
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And following the weekend howler by trusted captain Lucky Lekgwathi against Kaizer Chiefs in the derby, it was pleasing for Krol to hear that Bafana Bafana defender Lucas Thwala could be available for duty ahead of schedule.
Not that Lekgwathi’s nightmare outing against Chiefs has suddenly made him the worst player overnight, but Thwala has been a solid performer and a rock in the heart of their defence until he suffered a knee and ankle injury during a training session early this year.
Following a clumsy attempted tackle on Mark Mayambela during training, Thwala hurt his knee and ankle in a bizarre incident in which doctors ruled him out of action at least until December.
“I don’t know exactly when I will return," said Thwala on Tuesday. "We're working very hard with the medical staff to speed up my recovery and hopefully I can get back soon, but honestly I don't know exactly when. I'm training in the swimming pool to strengthen my leg muscles because that’s what the doctor recommended.”
Thwala admitted it has been nightmare season for him. A combination of that freak knee and ankle injuries restricted him from action even before the season started. This forced him to undergo both ankle and knee surgeries.
“Two operations on a single leg cannot be sniffed at. But, hopefully by January I will be ready for action. I am looking forward to return to action. It has been tough for me but, with the grace of God, things are going well. The team is doing well and hopefully my return will be an added bonus,” he explained.
Pirates face Maritzburg United in a semi-final tie of the Telkom Knockout at the Chatsworth Stadium this week.
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