Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates have released updates on the recoveries of long-term casualties Benson Mhlongo and Lucas Thwala.
Mhlongo suffered a horror knee injury in a challenge with AmaZulu's Thamsanqa Sangweni in October 2009, and has not played football since.
The South African international has made the headlines recently after initial charges of illegal possession of a firearm were withdrawn by the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court.
On the footballing front, the Buccaneers' physiotherapist John Williams believes Mhlongo should make his comeback in June 2011, although he is hopeful the 30-year-old midfielder could be back sooner.
"Benson is recovering... I expect him to be ready for action by June next year," Williams told the club's official website.
"This is just how we are looking at it but maybe he will be ready a lot earlier."
Mhlongo suffered a serious injury a few years back and managed to make a full recovery while the last setback came as a major blow to the former Mamelodi Sundowns man, as it ended his dreams of playing in the 2010 World Cup.
In other news from Parktown, Mhlongo's fellow Bafana Bafana star Lucas Thwala and goalkeeper Robert Modiadie are on track to return to the fold in January after respective injury lay-offs.
Mhlongo suffered a horror knee injury in a challenge with AmaZulu's Thamsanqa Sangweni in October 2009, and has not played football since.
The South African international has made the headlines recently after initial charges of illegal possession of a firearm were withdrawn by the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court.
On the footballing front, the Buccaneers' physiotherapist John Williams believes Mhlongo should make his comeback in June 2011, although he is hopeful the 30-year-old midfielder could be back sooner.
"Benson is recovering... I expect him to be ready for action by June next year," Williams told the club's official website.
"This is just how we are looking at it but maybe he will be ready a lot earlier."
Mhlongo suffered a serious injury a few years back and managed to make a full recovery while the last setback came as a major blow to the former Mamelodi Sundowns man, as it ended his dreams of playing in the 2010 World Cup.
In other news from Parktown, Mhlongo's fellow Bafana Bafana star Lucas Thwala and goalkeeper Robert Modiadie are on track to return to the fold in January after respective injury lay-offs.