Cape Town - The Orlando Pirates medical team will be hard at work this morning as they race around the clock to get players ready for the start of the MTN8 Cup on Tuesday.
Pirates host Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday and have a number of players on the side-lines suffering from niggling injuries.
According to the Orlando Pirates website, the latest casualty in the Buccaneers medical ward is striker Thamsanqa Gabuza, who was substituted midway into the first half of the Carling Black Label Cup, after suffering a hamstring strain.
According to the team doctors, Gabuza has been receiving treatment since Saturday and will need to undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability for the Cup game.
Meanwhile, Thabo Matlaba looks set to miss the clash against the Urban Warriors as he still continues to receive treatment for his hamstring injury.
The same situation applies to striker Kermit Erasmus who was withdrawn from the Carling Black Label Cup squad after suffering a hamstring strain in the friendly against Mpumalanga Black Aces last week.
Other players sidelined by injuries include Samora Motloung (knee), Rooi Mahamutsa (Achilles) and Menzi Masuku (foot).
The MTN8 clash is set for a 19:30 kick-off.