English Premiership
Binkin allays Khumalo fears
2011-02-11 07:40
Johannesburg - Bongani Khumalo's agent believes the Bafana Bafana centre-back
should be in contention for Tottenham's trip to Sunderland on Saturday.
The 24-year-old was replaced at half-time in South Africa's 2-0
win over Kenya in Rustenburg on Wednesday as a precaution after picking
up a bruised thigh and cut to his eye following a challenge on Dennis
Oliech.
Khumalo returned to London with club-mate Steven Pienaar
immediately after the match at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus and Glyn
Binkin told Football365.co.za the defender will be able to report back fit.
"He flew back straight after the game but I sent me a message
saying it was a dead leg that caused him to come off rather than the cut
to his eye," he said.
"I'm sure it won't be too much of a problem but we will have to see how he feels after the long flight."
Khumalo has yet to make an appearance for Harry Redknapp's side
after arriving in North London last month. But a series of defensive
injuries in the Spurs' squad saw him being named on the substitute's
bench in last week's win over Bolton Wanderers.
Now Binkin is hoping he can go one better and revealed Khumalo
has been staying behind for extra training in a bid to show he is ready
for his debut.
"Bongani has been staying for at least an hour and a half every
day after training to try and impress the coaches so I'm sure that will
pay off," he said.
"Some of the players who are injured at the moment are coming
back but I think he has shown he is willing to work hard. He's part of
the 25-man squad for league matches so that means his immediate future
is at Spurs," concluded Binkin.