Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates have stepped up injured striker Benni McCarthy's rehabilitation by giving him a run out in two friendly matches this week.

According to football411.com website, Bafana Bafana's all-time record goal scorer has been out of action for some time with a hamstring strain, but Pirates are hoping to have him back in time for the clash at Chippa United next week.

McCarthy was scheduled to have come through 30 minutes in a friendly match on Monday, while he will again take to the field on Friday, along with fellow long-term absentee Andile Jali.

"Benni (was) due to have a about 30 minutes on Monday in a friendly we have organised against a Vodacom League side," Bucs coach Roger de Sa told SuperSport.

"On Friday, there will be another match for Benni and for Andile Jali, who we are sure will be ready by next week."

Also having recently returned to the field is full-back Happy Jele, who got in 90 minutes against Black Leopards at the weekend and is set to get another run in Friday's encounter.

"The 10 minutes against Leopards was really just to put (Jele's) own mind at ease that he has fully recovered," added De Sa, who has had to deal with several injuries to key squad members this season.

De Sa, however, has been delighted with his cover as the Buccaneers moved to within one point of PSL leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

"Basically you take Moeneeb (Josephs), Rooi (Mahamutsa), Andile Jali and Benni out and you have lost the spine of the team. But we've managed to keep going without really missing a beat," he concluded.