Tsepo back in March...maybe

Mike Makaab admitted he was disappointed to hear that the 25-year-old left-back required surgery on his knee, especially with several top European clubs reportedly vying for his signature in the January transfer window.

"As opposed to being an injury, it was a niggle that he had picked up over the course of the season and Maccabi Haifa and ourselves came to the conclusion that the right thing to do was to clean the knee up," he told Football365.co.za

Makaab also revealed that his client's fitness problem has - for the time being - derailed hopes of a transfer from Maccabi Haifa.

"It wasn't a major operation but it was vital because he is still very young," explained Makaab.

"That meant we had to forego the interest shown in him during the January transfer window but everything being equal he will be back in training in March.

"Then we will look seriously at the summer window in Europe to follow up on some of the enquiries we've had in the past."

Pitso Mosimane will be hopeful that Masilela returns to contention sooner rather than later as he prepares his Bafana side for a crucial tie against the Pharaohs.